

gfc 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

To 



♦ 



Shelf.. .3, 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




MANUAL 



FOR 



CHURCH OFFICERS 



BY 



O. £31. DRTER, ID.ID 



44 Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over 

many things " 




NEW YORK : HUNT & EATON 

CINCINNATI ; CRANSTON & CURTS 

1893 



^>^y 



^ 



Copyright, 1893, by 
HUNT & EATON, 

New York. 



The Library 
of Congress 



WASHINGTON 



(.VnnpoMt.on, elertrotyp.ne, printing, and binding *y 

HUNT & EATON, 

150 Fifth Avenue, New York. 



£ 

^ 



TO 
MY FATHER, 

ORRIN C. DRYER, 

FOR MORE THAN FORTY YEARS AN EARNEST, FAITHFUL, AND 

DEVOTED 

OFFICIAL MEMBER 

OF THE 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



CONTENTS 



PART I. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND REWARDS OF OFFICIAL MEMBER- 
SHIP IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The Official Members — Number and Work 9 

IL The Official Members and the Community 17 

III. The Official Members and the Church 26 

IV. The Official Members in their Relation to Each Other . 36 

V. The Official Members and the Pastor 46 

VI. The Official Members and the Presiding Elder 56 

VII. The Official Members akd their Personal Religious 

Life QQ 

PART II. 
THE SPECIFIC DUTIES OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS. 
I. Ministerial Members — Supernumeraries and Superan- 
nuates 77 

II. Local Preachers and Exhorters 80 

III. Sunday School Superintendents 85 

IV. Presidents of Epwortii League Chapters 91 

V. Class Leaders 97 

VI. Stewards 106 

VII. Trustees 117 

VIII. The Official Board — Leaders and Stewards' Meeting. 128 
IX. The Quarterly Conference 132 

X. The District Conference 144 

XL The Lay Electoral Conference 151 

XII. Hints for Official Members 153 

XIII. Rules of Order 1 54 



6 , Contents. 

PART III. 
LAY ORGANIZATION IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The Laity in the Christian Church, Professor C. J. 

Little, D.D., Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston, III. 1 Gl 
IT. The Laity in the Protestant Episcopal Church, Rev. 

Henry Anstice, D.D., Dean of Rochester, N. Y K7 

III. The Laity in the Presbyterian Church, Rev. H. H. 

Stebbins, D.D., Pastor of the Central Presbyterian 

Church, Rochester, N. Y 184 

IY. Efficient Baptist Churches, Professor Benjamin 0. True, 

Rochester Theological Seminary 199 

Y. Denominational Statistics of the United States. 210 



PART I 



RESPONSIBILITIES AND REWARDS OF 

OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP IN THE 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 



THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS — NUMBER AND WORK. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE CHURCH. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THEIR RELATION TO EACH OTHER. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE PASTOR. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE PRESIDING ELDER. 
THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THEIR PERSONAL RELIGIOUS 
LIFE. 



CHAPTEE I. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS— NUMBER AXD WORK. 

Cl Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God; your 
captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men 
of Israel, your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy 
camp." — Deut. xxix, 10, 11. 

The general and the soldiers do not make an army. 
The military efficiency of the rank and file, the value 
of the army under the leadership of a Grant, a "Wel- 
lington, or even a Napoleon, depends upon the valor, 
ability, and disciplined cooperation of the officers, 
both of the staff and line. 

The essential factors of a Protestant church are 
three: the pastor, the congregation, including the 
body of the membership, and the lay officiary ; in 
Methodism, the pastor, the membership, Elements of 
with the congregation, and the lay mem- a Methodist 
bers of the Quarterly Conference. These 
must heartily cooperate to make an efficient working 
Methodist church. 

The pastor is trained to this end. The member- 
ship have weekly instruction in their duties. "What 
provision is made for the training of young provision for 
men and women for their responsibilities training, 
as representatives of the membership, and duties as 
leaders directing the life and activities of the church ? 
Is the task so easy, the problem of Christian leader- 
ship of so little difficulty, that no training or prepara- 



10 Manual fok Chubcei Officers. 

tion is required to do the best work possible to the lay 
officiary of Methodism ? To answer these questions 
we must consider the number and work of these lead- 
ers among the five million of Methodist laymen, what 
they have accomplished and what lies before them. 

The lay membership of the Quarterly Conferences 
and the official boards of the Methodist Episcopal 
Number of offl- Church alone must number not far from 
ciai members. j wo l iuiu } re( ] thousand persons. The num- 
ber of official members in the other branches of Meth- 
odism is at least equal to their proportionate member- 
ship. In the Methodist Episcopal Church it includes 
the class leaders in the twelve thousand pastoral 
charges, averaging from five to seven for each charge ; 
the stewards, ranging from three to thirteen, and 
averaging from seven to nine ; the trustees of over 
twenty-three thousand churches, who are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and that must always 
be two thirds, averaging from three to nine; the 
superintendents of the more than twenty-seven thou- 
sand Sunday schools, who are members of the same 
Church, that is over ninety per cent. It also includes 
the fourteen thousand loc.il preachers, the presidents 
of the nine thousand Ep worth League chapters, and the 
uncounted exhorters. With these are associated the 
four hundred and fifty presiding elders and more 
than fifteen thousand ministers — in round numbers, 
twelve thousand in pastoral, educational, reform, and 
journalistic work, one thousand in supernumerary 
and two thousand in superannuate relations — making, 
after all deductions for those holding two or more 
official positions, nearly or quite two hundred thou- 
sand lay and fifteen thousand clerical members of the 



The Official Members — Xumber and Work. 11 

Quarterly Conferences ; in all Methodism in America, 
well-nio'h four hundred thousand. 

What may not such a picked body of commissioned 
officers do in directing the work of the two and one 
half millions of members forming the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and the five millions forming the 
Methodist army in America ? 

The marvel of modern church history is the growth 
of organized American Methodism from a date coeval 
with the formation of our national gov- pastacweve- 
ernment to the present time. As the for- ments - 
ests have been cleared and the prairies broken, as 
farms, towns, and cities have taken their place, making 
ours the most prosperous and wealthy nation of the 
globe, so in parallel lines of endeavor, and with results 
equally magnificent, has gone on the planting of the 
Christian Church and the growth of Methodism. We 
shall never cease to hold in lasting remembrance and 
gratitude the most self-denying Protestant ministry 
this century has seen — the Methodist itinerants. Their 
prowess, conflicts, and victories will ever be an inspi- 
ration and a priceless heritage to the Church they 
reared and served. 

But let us ever remember the pioneer class leaders 
who gave their little flocks in the wilderness all the 
pastoral care they received ; the first Sunday school 
superintendents and teachers who founded the Chris- 
tian training of the children and youth in log cabins 
and schoolhouses. We must not fail to reckon upon 
our list of Christian heroes those stewards and trus- 
tees who, out of the narrow means of those founding 
homes in a new country and clearing the wilderness 
for habitation, began the support of a regular ministry 



12 Manual for Church Officers. 

and laid the foundations of thousands of church edi- 
fices. The itinerant preached, the people gave ; but 
without the unceasing labor, the careful planning, and 
the assuming of heavy financial obligations by her lay 
officiary, Methodism could never have become one of 
the great Christian denominations in this country. 

We need not go back to the days of the fathers to 
see the results of the consecrated and self-denying 
past twenty labors of the official members of Metho- 
years. dism. Take our own Church only for the 

last twenty years, 1872-1892. Our membership has 
increased from 1,500,000 to 2,300,000. Churches, 
from 14,000 to 23,000 ; in value, from $02,000,000 
to $99,000,000. Parsonages, from 4,500 to 8,700 ; in 
value, from $8,500,000 ' to $15,000,000. Sunday 
schools, from 17,000 to 27,000 ; teachers, from 193,000 
to 300,000; scholars, from 1,278,000 to 2,300,000. 
Benevolences, from less than $1,000,000 to $2,500,- 
000. Pastoral support, which is now nearly $10,- 
000,000, is twice what it was twenty years ago. 
Our greatest gain has been in educational work : in 
institutions, from 102 to 195; students, from 23,000 
to 40,000, and capital invested, from $3,000,000 to 
$27,000,000. The increase in the quality of the 
work done has been greater than in the amount. 
This represents something of the divine blessing 
which has attended the faith and self-sacrifice of the 
ministry, the devotion and liberality of the member- 
ship of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To the 
offering of the official membership of the Church of 
zeal, effort, commanding influence, the responsibilities 
of leadership for these twenty years, has no increase 
been given of God? Who can measure its value? 



The Official Members — Number and Work. 13 

No one would desire to detract from the credit due 
to the ministry and the body of the membership for 
whatever use of opportunities God has blessed, but 
attention is called to a too often omitted factor, without 
which this work would have been still undone. 

What has been wrought only outlines the extent of 
the duties and obligations of the hour. 
The lay oversight and care of 2,500,000 
members ; the instruction of 2,500,000 Sunday school 
scholars ; the organization and help of young people's 
societies rising to 1,000,000 members; the care of 
$120,000,000 worth of real estate, with its rebuildings, 
improvements, and repairs; the sole charge of rais- 
ing $10,000,000 for the support of the ministry ; the 
effective cooperation in the collection of benevolent- 
contributions rapidly rising from $2,500,000 to 
$5,000,000 — these are some of the items which can 
be expressed by figures. The elements of power in 
a successful church, springing from the piety, the abil- 
ity, the character, and influence of the lay officiary of 
the church in each community, outweigh all that fig- 
ures express, and are known only to the great Head 
of the Church, who has always used them as among 
the most efficient agencies for building up his king- 
dom. 

All that this survey shows of present needs and re- 
sponsibilities is dwarfed as we look at the Demands of 
demands of the near future. Hitherto the future - 
the Church has had chiefly and almost solely to do 
with individuals. Slowly and with some reluctance 
we have admitted the claims of the familv and made 
integral and important parts of our church work the 
teaching of the Sunday school and the training of the 



14 Manual for Church Officers. 

Epworth League. We have now come to a period 
when we can no longer ignore the claims of the com- 
munity on the Church. This means the close grap- 
pling and effective dealing with the larger factors in 
the problem of the evangelization of the nations. 
We cannot do less, but more, for the individual and 
the family; we must affect more powerfully the life 
of the community than Christianity has ever yet 
done. When all has been done that the ministry and 
the Church can do the lay officiary of the Church 
will find this task of influencing the life of the com- 
munity peculiarly its own. The leadership of the 
trained, devoted, and successful pastor must find its 
first response and heartiest cooperation from them. 

Does it require any training to do this work as 
Necessity for Christian men should do work for their 
training. Lord? Not that the members of our 

official boards and Quarterly Conferences are un- 
trained men. Often they are fully the equals of 
the pastors in scholastic training, and have an experi- 
ence of human life in its practical and social aspects 
which can never be given by books. They have had 
a common experience of personal salvation and of de- 
vout communion with God. They know and love 
the divine word and prize the ordinances, discipline, 
and usages of the Church. They know the opinions, 
sentiments, and feelings of the body of the member- 
ship. Yet the question recurs, Is no special thought 
or consideration necessary for the best use of the op- 
portunities and privileges of membership in the 
Quarterly Conference ? The young men who are or 
should come into this relation, especially from the 
Epworth League, ought to have some more definite 



The Official Members — Number and Work. 15 

and systematic training than mere association with the 
older members and the actual experience of the work. 
The Christian Church, and especially Methodism, 
has laid large stress upon the value of Training in 
training for specific duties and work. Methodism. 
Everywhere leadership means preparation and dis- 
cipline. Our Lord thought three years none too long 
to train twelve men for the work of the apostolate. To 
this he gave more attention than to the teaching of 
the multitudes and the working of miracles. All 
Christian Churches concede the necessity for a trained 
ministry. Methodism recognized this necessity from 
the beginning. Though often choosing and sending 
out men illiterate and with scant educational oppor- 
tunities, she never left them so, but, putting them to 
work, put them to training also. Wesley's rules, still 
retained in our Discipline, say, "Read the most useful 
books, and that regularly and constantly. Steadily 
spend all the morning in this employment, or at least 
five hours in the four and twenty. 'But I have no 
taste for reading.' Contract a taste for it by use, 
or return to your former employment." By this 
thorough and consistent training, joined with the 
guidance of senior preachers and presiding elders, 
with Conference examinations upon a prescribed 
course of study, and in later times colleges and the- 
ological schools, the Methodist Church has sought to 
train up its pastorate. The Church has not been un- 
mindful of the body of its membership, as its proba- 
tionary system, pastoral and lay supervision, class 
organization, educational institutions, Chautauqua 
circles, and church lyceums testify. No other Church 
has done more in this direction. In one respect 



16 Manual for Church Officers. 

we have made progress. The claims of Bishop Yin- 
cent upon the gratitude of the Church which has 
chosen him as one of her chief pastors include not only 
the Chautauqua movement and the reorganization of 
our Sunday schools, but the founding and developing 
among us of the normal class, preparing Sunday 
school teachers for their work. If we had an equally 
efficient agency to train class leaders less would be 
heard of the decay of that most admirable organiza- 
tion and means of grace, the class meeting. We there- 
fore conclude there is need of something which shall 
instruct and train especially the younger members of 
our official boards and Quarterly Conferences. For 
this purpose this manual is written. 

A practicable and proper training for and consid- 
eration of this work, it is believed, would double the 
efficiency of the official membership of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. We know no other such latent 
force waiting but the proper call and direction to 
double the effectiveness of the Church in building up 
the kingdom of God. The grooving of the barrel 
gives accuracy of aim and force to the ball. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY, 

" The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, 
and of his Christ." — Rev. xi, 15. 
11 Light of Christ, shine on all." 

In a village in western New York many years ago 

Deacon E kept a country store. A The deacon 

certain widow living in the vicinity, a andtnewid- 
member of the same church, had a bright 
son eager to learn. The family was poor, but highly 
respected. The son one day came into the deacon's 
store and told him of a chance he had to attend 
school. He greatly needed an arithmetic. If the 
deacon wonld trust him, as soon as the winter's school 
was closed he would earn the money and would pay 
him the price of the book. The deacon was a good 
man and upright, but he was not touched by the 
boy's keen desire for knowledge ; he thought there 
was some risk, and refused the request. The widow's 
son went immediately across the street to another 
store, kept by a man with whom he had but a slight ac- 
quaintance. The man was a strong opponent of evan- 
gelical religion. He heard the boy's request, liked 
his frank manner and eagerness to help himself, and 
without a moment's hesitation gave him the book on 
the terms he proposed. That widow's son became a 
Methodist class leader and local preacher with no or- 
dinary gifts and capacity for wide usefulness. He 
2 



18 Manual for Church Officers. 

lamented more than anything else that the deacon's 
rebuff had turned him away from evangelical Chris- 
tianity and caused a waste of twenty years in irrelig- 
ious life, excused by the teachings of the benefactor 
of his boyhood. These years and the work that he 
might have done in them for Christ and his Church 
were lost forever because of the deacon's lack of 
sympathy and desire to help one who, according to 
the New Testament, had peculiar claims upon his 
consideration. Nothing can ret forth more clearly 
than this little incident the representative character 
of the office-bearers of the church. "We are all 
familiar with the fact that the pastor represents the 
church; that his acts, if uncharitable or unwise, in- 
jure the church and the cause of Christ. Even so, 
and in many cases more effectively than any pastor, 
the official members of the church commend the 
Gospel or hinder its course. 

The first consideration, then, in the thought of 
Representative every official member should be that he 
character. represents the church and the Christian 
religion in that community. In a sense this is true 
of all professing Christians ; but it is true of men 
who are the official representatives of the church as 
of no other men in the community. While this im- 
poses obligations and makes the effects of failures 
and sins more harmful, it gives opportunity for long 
and wide-extended influence, that increases with the 
years in power and beneficence. 

There was in a Baptist church in the Genesee Val- 
ley a deacon who, from his ability, piety, and charac- 
ter, exerted a greater influence on the community 
than all the pastors the church had while he lived 



The Official Members and the Community. 19 

there. Men in middle life recall a class leader, a 
college professor, whose Christian influence did more 
to mold the character of the young men in a certain 
institution than that of all the rest of the faculty com- 
bined. The very fact that he was a layman, joined 
with such a poise, steadiness, and symmetry of char- 
acter, gave his life and word a weight and influence 
unsurpassed. 

What aspects of church life should all official mem- 
bers represent? Of course, there must be great di- 
versity among them — the old and the young; the 
rich and the poor; men and women of differing oc- 
cupations, gifts, and temperaments, yet all having and 
setting forth the Spirit of the Lord Christ. 

The official members should first represent to the 
community the moral ideals and religious Moral ideals 
life of the church. There may be a cer- and religious 
tain kind of religion without morality, 
moral principle, or strict business integrity. If so it is 
not the religion of Christ, and is not the religion 
which saves the world. In spite of the speculation, 
monopolies, and trusts of our time there is no doubt 
but the ethical standard of the business world is 
higher than a generation ago. Little acts of mean- 
ness, tricks of trade, and efforts to avoid the fulfill- 
ment of contracts have much less favor shown them 
and are much less common. There is a certain kind 
of cheating which keeps inside the law and has no 
regard for ethical considerations ; but men of that 
stamp are known, and have no accepted business 
standing in the community. No man can retain his 
place as an official member, without great damage to 
the church, who belongs to this class, or w T ho has 



20 Manual for Church Officers. 

departed from the highest standard of business integ- 
rity. This is a commercial age, and if our religion 
does not make us right in the ordinary transactions 
of business life it will only harm and. not help our 
fellows struggling with the same temptations. This 
might almost be taken for granted ; but this is not all. 
The official members represent the religious life, the 
piety of the church. They should be men who know 
by personal experience what means repentance and 
the divine forgiveness of sins. They should be men 
of faith, because men of prayer; through personal 
conflict and endeavor they should know the gospel 
meaning of growth in grace and overcoming the world. 
In a word, they should represent the best type of 
scriptural piety in the Church. 

The men who officially represent the church in the 
community should set forth the crowning 
grace of the Christian faith — love : love 
for God and abiding love for men ; love that does 
not flinch, but sacrifices ; that does not despair, but 
hopes beyond hope, that never fails. The spirit 
of the thirteenth of First Corinthians thus presented 
will win in any community. It will keep good men 
from becoming censorious and narrow, and will en- 
able them to put the best construction upon motives. 
They will thus bring into ordinary, everyday living 
the sweetness and sunshine of the abiding Christ. 
There will then be a grace of Christian living which 
is the glory of our earthly life. They will thus be 
men of widest charity, that love which no personal 
interest or church bounds can confine, while they 
uphold and illustrate the highest moral standard, yet 
always extend a hand of help to the victims of igno- 



The Official Members and the Community. 21 

ranee, weakness, folly, and sin ; not so much a judge 
as a helper of the moral life of the community ; for 
none malice, for all charity. 

Such a moral standard, such a religious life joined 
to such a charitable spirit, will result, Noble charac- 
wlicn lived out in daily conduct, in noble ter * 
character, that character which influences others 
because built upon a mastery of self. A man who 
cannot forget himself in devotion to his Church, its 
work, and the salvation of his fellows will hardly by 
his character exalt Christianity in the community 
where lie is known. But the man who has this con- 
secration and self-poise cannot fail to advance the 
cause of Christ in the community each day he lives. 
Where ability and gifts of leadership are possessed 
nothing wins like character. That is the savins; salt 
in any Church and in any community. Salvation in 
its last analysis is character. Nothing else can win 
for a Church like a character which sets forth human 
redempt ; on. Consider that these men represent the 
highest type of Christian morality, religious life, 
charity, and character ; can anything more potent be 
found for Christian leadership and leading the com- 
munity to God ? In natural gifts, resources, experi- 
ence, and ability they stand in the front rank in the 
communities in which they live. Let them but 
truly represent the best result of the Gospel of 
our Lord Jesus in life and character, and varied cir- 
cumstances and contrasting temperaments, and there 
is built up in the community a solid and abiding 
Christian influence that molds this and after gener- 
ations. 

But while these characteristics must necessarily be 



22 Manual for Church Officers. 

chief in influencing the life of communities, there 
are others which are desirable. 

To have the largest measure of influence the mem- 
bers of the church officiary should never 

Public spirit. . , * 

lorget that they are citizens, and should be 
quick to respond to all that touches the common weal 
of the community. Bearing heavy burdens in the 
church, it may be with limited means, there may not 
be ability to share largely public burdens. But there 
is always opportunity to show sympathy, interest, to 
give self, and so aid in every good work that men can 
never say that service of the church has blinded to the 
highest interests and the most pressing needs of the 
community. All that concerns its physical, intellec- 
tual, moral, and social life concerns the leaders of the 
Christian Church. Sanitary, educational, preventive, 
reformatory, and moral means and agencies will en- 
gage his attention, and when worthy and wisely man- 
aged secure his support. The sense of common weal 
which looks to the best use of business advantages for 
the community, and the public spirit that devotes 
itself to the purifying and invigorating of local political 
life as sacredly as our fathers to the founding and 
unifying of the republic, well becomes the leader of 
church life among our laymen. 

The community, even the most ungodly, expect the 

leaders of our Christian laity to be on the 

Moral reforms. d 

right side of all moral reforms. 1 he world 
seldom goes faster in these directions than the great 
body of Christian laymen. Our lay leaders should be 
the advanced guard in such movements. Where they 
do not lead they can hinder mightily. A Methodist 
officially representing his church and renting his 



The Official Members and the Community. 23 

property for the sale of liquor injures the church in 
that community beyond all his power to repair, 
though lie be worth a million and give for church 
uses the tenth of all that is his. 

Moral influence outweighs money in building up 
Christ's kingdom. This was shown in the political 
world thirty years ago in the antislavery struo-ode. 
The line will be drawn with equal clearness and firm- 
ness before the liquor traffic is overthrown. So with 
schemes of social amelioration and reform. Xot our 
ministers only, but the leading laymen of the churches, 
should be able to think and speak intelligently upon 
these topics. Their practical knowledge of men and 
affairs would be of the utmost value in the considera- 
tion of questions which must affect the social life of 
our great cities, of our communities, and the nation. 
To have and maintain the influence we seek in the 
community our laymen must study and seek to master 
these problems. 

The relation of our Church to other Christian 
Churches in the community will always other christian 
concern our official members. Nothing is Cl3urcbes - 
ever gained by denouncing or abusing the Roman 
Catholic Church ; the showing the way of God more 
perfectly will win some each year. In our relations 
to other evangelical Churches some things seem clear. 
"We should toward them observe the golden rule. Iii 
our treatment and dealings with their pastors, the 
members of their churches and congregations, we 
should do what we should wish them to do to us if 
our positions were reversed. 

We should regard the prosperity of the other 
evangelical Churches as increasing the Christian influ- 



24 Manual for Church Officers. 

ence in the community, and so directly aiding our 
work. The abler the pastors, the stronger the other 
churches, the better for a strong or a live Methodist 
church. In a very important sense we are members 
one of another. The legitimate prosperity of one is 
a help to all. Of course this bears hard on weak or 
dying churches. But God is honored and the com- 
munity helped only by live, working churches. Such, 
though small, will not be feeble, and will be sure to 
grow. We must recognize that in building up the 
kingdom of God in the community these churches 
must work together, and not against each other. 
Sometimes a bigoted pastor or a proselyting church 
may make such a course difficult ; yet the pastor and 
the church that follows it will gain the respect and 
the esteem of the community and of all good men in 
the churches. The living of the prayer, " Thy king- 
dom come," will hasten the day when all Christian 
denominations shall dwell and work together in full 
fraternal union, and the greatest reproach of our 
Protestant Christianity will be taken away. This in- 
cludes a proper sense of self-respect for the work and 
influence of our own Church. No Methodist church 
can afford to be a satellite of some larger church of 
another communion or have its independent church 
life dwarfed or directed by other churches. If it 
has any mission in the community let it show it by 
its individual yet fraternal life and activity. 

Finally, the official members of our churches should 
The outcast keep in touch with the poorest, most 
and the poor, helpless, and outcast of the community. 
Those most poverty-stricken and wretched always 
feel free to go to the Methodist pastor when sick- 



The Official Members and the Community. 25 

ness and death invade the household. This is our 
praise. 

So our leading laymen ought to know something of 
the life, and have enough of Christian sympathy, so 
that men of this class when in trouble would seek and 
not shun them. There was a saying of the old French 
nobility, Noblesse oblige. John Wesley translated it 
into plain Anglo-Saxon when he said, " Go to those 
who need you most." The Church which cares for 
the poor and the wretched, those who have no helper, 
is doing the Master's work and will not fail of his 
blessing. May this primal glory of Methodism never 
depart from us ! 

What will such a representation of the Christian 
religion and Church by its office-bearers Effect of such 
do in the community % It will do what official mem- 
all sermons cannot do, what no devotion 
of the pastor to his work can alone accomplish. It 
will help to make Christianity real to men. It will 
enable the mass of the community to see that it is 
adapted to the real needs of all men in all conditions 
of society and life. If the Church responds, as it 
certainly will, to such high-spirited, generous, and 
Christlike leadership, then it is doing its part toward 
the evangelization of the world, making the com- 
munity, and so the nation, Christian not only in name 
but in reality. 

Beacons burn to shine. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE CHURCH. 

''Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.' 7 
—Malt, xx, 27. 

Why are official members necessary? What is the 
necessity or use of an official board or a Quarterly 
why official Conference? The answers to these ques- 
members? tious w y| exp i a i a tne relation of the offi- 
cial members to the church they serve. 

Churches consist of scores, or hundreds, of members 
of all ages, classes, and conditions — the aged and 
infirm, the sick and disabled, the well and strong — 
men, women, and children. There is necessarily much 
business connected with the affairs of the church 
which would not interest the whole body of the 
membership, and which, if they had to give personal 
attention to all the details, would prove an intolerable 
burden. Such would be the erection, repair, and 
proper care of the church buildings and parsonages; 
providing the best methods for obtaining the money 
necessary for the current expenses of the church ; the 
payment of pastor, organist, sexton, etc. ; advice 
which the pastor may need in regard to his preaching, 
pastoral work, or administration ; the proper over- 
sight of the work of the Sunday school and the young 
people's societies ; the zealous care of the sick and 
the poor; questions of character and admission to the 
church ; cases of pastoral admonition and discipline ; 



The Official Members and the Church. 27 

many emergencies arising in the spiritual and social 
life of the church. For example, a series of revival 
services ought to have the heartiest cooperation of the 
official members. Sometimes a pastor must take a 
stand against prevalent forms of vice, intemperance, 
gambling, lewdness, or financial corruption. He will 
need wise counsel from men of experience and ability. 
His hands are greatly strengthened if they support 
him in his work for the better moral life of the com- 
munity. If, as is sometimes the case, he must face the 
foe alone, a calm consideration with the brethren will 
show him what he has to meet and how to meet it, 
and will command their respect even when they differ 
from him in judgment. Many of these things, it is 
evident, could not be brought before the body of the 
membership. No pastor would wish, and no Protest- 
ant congregation would endure, to have them decided 
by the pastor without representation and consultation. 

The official members are, then, a committee officially 
chosen and authorized to consult and decide in the 
direction and government of the church, D eflnit ,- on of 
the carrying on of its work, and the admin- official mem- 
istration of its affairs. This government 
and administration in the Methodist Episcopal Church 
is always subject to the rides and regulations of its 
book of Discipline. Hence it follows that the official 
members are the representatives and leaders of the 
local church chosen from the body of its members. 

Thej' are the representatives of the membership of 
the local church; but in a connectional Loyaltv t0 
organization like ours they should never connectional 
forget that they represent the common 
interests of the great body of members of the whole 



28 Manual for Church Officers. 

Church, Loyalty to the polity, the administration, 
and the work of the entire Church ought peculiarly 
to mark the thought and conduct of the lay officiary 
of the Church, the same loyalty which we yield to 
our civil organization or State and national govern- 
ment. We may not agree that all things are done in 
the best possible maimer, but we know if they are 
not there is in the Constitution of the State provision 
for a remedy. An honorable man would, scorn to 
hold a political office and use it to thwart the adminis- 
tration or party or community which had honored 
him. So all may not agree in regard to all details of 
church administration or government. All must rec- 
ognize there is a legal way provided to express our 
dissent. Once in four years the humblest member 
may petition the General Conference for a change in 
law or usage and be heard. The various ways of 
changing the laws in the State are quite as effective 
in a Church which has adopted lay representation and 
so changed the policy of more than three quarters of a 
century. In the meantime the Church has a right to 
ask of her office-bearers an especial loyalty and care 
for her connectional interests. This means not a mere 
acquiescence in detail of administration, but such in- 
formation in regard to them, and such intelligent and 
hearty cooperation, as shall make their influence by 
word and example potent for good in the Church and 
community. This will not require the perusal of 
many volumes in a course of study, for men wish to 
know the present work and needs of our connectional 
organizations, not their history ; but it does make it 
necessary for every official member to take and read 
some Church paper, if he is to be fitted for his work, 



The Official Members and the Church. 29 

or to keep abreast of the times, or be in line with 
the advancing army of the Church of God in the 
earth. 

The official members specially represent the mem- 
bership of the local church. They should be in such 
sympathy and accord with them that they Representation 
not only know temperaments and peculi- of the local 
arities of individuals, but the general trend churct1, 
of the thought and feeling of the entire body. Where 
the class system is in use, and means, as it ought, an 
efficient lay pastorate and supervision, no knowledge 
of his people by the pastor, however accurate and 
extended, but may be wisely supplemented by the 
official board. The connection ought to be so evi- 
dent and close that the mass of the membership feel 
not that they escape responsibility and wholly commit 
these affairs to the officiary of the church, but that 
they can make their sentiments and opinions known, 
and that, they will have due weight w T ith the control- 
ling body. This will not be so much by petition and 
resolution as by frank and fraternal consultation and 
the pledge which the character of these men gives 
that they would not countenance anything distasteful 
to the majority of the membership they represent. 
The good of the whole is the aim of the whole board, 
and the known opinion of the mass of the member- 
ship is quite as much a factor in the decisions reached 
as the opinions of the officiary themselves. The con- 
dition desired is that these representatives shall have 
the respect, sympathy, and confidence of the entire 
body which they serve. This, retained by frank, up- 
right, and consistent course of official action, makes 
any church strong. Pastors and their official advisers 



30 Manual for Church Officers. 

are saved from mistakes and blunders which would 
be inevitable but for this knowledge and sympathy. 

The decisions of the official members affect the 
whole membership and are of interest to them. They 
have a right to know them and the reasons or expla- 
nations by which they are supported or their applica- 
tion is made evident. But the course of the debate, 
what individuals said, or who opposed and who favored 
a course of action, h not the property of the church. 
No secretary or other official lias a right to give these 
without the consent of the persons concerned or of 
the body as a whole. The design is to have as free 
and frank discussion as is possible, and men must feel 
free to say in a committee of representatives what 
they w^ould not care to have set forth without the 
modification of the attendant circumstances and the 
explanation of the course of the debate. This applies 
to all cases of character which may be under discus- 
sion, and to all important measures where there is a 
pronounced difference of opinion which threatens the 
peace of the church. 

The official member is not only a representative, 

he is a leader in the life and activities of the church. 

. .. No age or people ever presented such 

Opportunity & -L g \ -l 

for christian grand opportunities for consecrated leader- 
ship as our time and this generation. The 
age of democracy opens an arena for leadership such 
as was never before shown to the world. Capable 
men, men of character, men of light and leading, 
never before had such opportunities, such ample means, 
to realize the grandest designs. Where the intelli- 
gence, the sympathy, the resources of wealth and 
power of a great democracy are at the service of an 



The Official Members and the Church. 31 

able and consecrated leadership the results may be 
such as to mark an era in the history of nations and 
of civilization. The opportunities for leadership in 
tlie Christian Church were never greater than now in 
Protestant America. "What John Wesley wrought in 
the last century, and William Booth in this, are only 
examples of the possibilities of wise and consecrated 
leadership. Some, perhaps, are looking for the reunion 
of the Protestant Churches. This fair vision will 
never be realized until through some great spiritual 
uplift guided by men commissioned by the divine 
Spirit there shall come a purer and nobler type of 
Christian life, a broader, clearer spiritual vision, a 
truer charity, a unity of aim and a cooperation of 
methods which shall lift tlie Church out of all the 
narrowness and littleness of the past to a comprehen- 
sion of and communion with God's thought and the 
divine purpose for his conquering Church. 

This involves a right conception of leadership in the 
thousands of local churches. A leader conditions of 
must have clear conceptions of the pres- leadership. 
ent condition of things. He must see the thing; to be 
done and the way to do it. A leader must lead. 
That means accepting responsibility and incurring 
risk. It means readiness to act and suffer, to do and 
sacrifice. No leader can ask a church and its mem- 
bers to assume undertakings and obligations of which, 
according to his ability, he does not take more than a 
proportionate share. Faith is as requisite to leader- 
ship in a local church as in preaching the Gospel to 
the heathen. Let us read God^s promises to his cov- 
enant people in the prophets and see the first requi- 
site of Christian leadership, an implicit reliance upon 



32 Manual for Church Officers. 

the plan and purpose of Almighty God. Read the 
work of the founding of the Church, in the Acts and 
epistles, and learn that to faith and sacrifice we must 
add undying hope if we are to honor God or save 
men. Above all, read the gospels and learn the se- 
cret of Christ — such a love for men as made the lay- 
ing down of his life for them bring the Son of God 
from heaven to tread w T ith unreluctant feet the path 
to the garden and the cross. A leadership so ac- 
tuated and inspired will never fail of following and 
results. It will thrill the hearts, help and ennoble 
the lives of men. The ministry has no monopoly of 
such leadership. Our great need, and sometimes, 
thank God. grandly supplied, is for such leadership 
in our local churches. This does not imply the neg- 
lect, but the much better care, of all the minutiae- and 
detail which so largely contribute to success. What 
reformer more practical than General Booth, or what 
evangelist than D. L. Moody ? The narrow finances of 
a small charge demand faithfulness, consecrated busi- 
ness ability, executive talent, tact, courtesy, and spirit- 
ual courage just as urgently as man} 7 a great enter- 
prise which enlists the hearts of thousands and the 
resources of a great denomination. Leadership is 
making the most of present opportunities and inspir- 
ing others to like effort ; seeing clearly, and after 
careful deliberation acting resolutely and promptly. 

But the highest kind of leadership always takes in 
Leadership and the future as well as the present. Educa- 
future needs, tional institutions and churches have been 
crippled for scores of years, and for more than one 
generation, by a leadership which looked only to pres- 
ent abilities and surroundings and disregarded the 



The Official Members and the Church. 33 

future. From all our larger churches and in all grow- 
ing communities the demand is for a leadership that 
shall command the future as well as the present 
— that shall fit the church in its appliances and work 
not only for the urgent needs of the present, but for 
a future of yet greater influence. What is the most 
we can plan and do for God should be the watchword 
of Christian leadership, 

There is without doubt a prosaic, nay, even a repel- 
lent side to the lay leadership of a Prot- progaic side of 
estant congregation. Our churches are christian lead- 
snpported on the voluntary principle. ers ip " 
Not seldom is the official member brought into con- 
tact with the selfishness and financial meanness of 
men and women belonging to Christian congrega- 
tions and to the Christian Church. Through the in- 
veterate lack of responsibility or stinginess of the 
people the man who has already given all he is able 
to give, after days and weeks of pleading and per- 
suading, is brought to the disagreeable dilemma of 
paying for men in better circumstances than himself or 
seeing tlie name of his church dishonored and its influ- 
ence seriously injured in the community. This has 
occurred many times. It ought never to occur again. 
Proper business methods, with strict and careful admin- 
istration and the cultivation by example and precept of 
a high sense of Christian financial honor, will render 
such an experience impossible. One layman of in- 
fluence can so raise the ethical standard in regard to 
these things that the church with which he is con- 
nected will meet its financial obligations as fully and 
as promptly as any business corporation in the com- 
munity. This requires the right use of the right 



34 Manual for Church Officers. 

means, but Las been done aorain and a^ain. The 
Church in general has made a large advance in these 
things. Our stronger churches command ability and 
use of resources, which makes success assured by 
means of small and uniform as well as large contribu- 
tions. In the smaller charges, with the passing away 
of the older generation and the adoption of business 
methods actuated by a Christian spirit, these financial 
obstacles will be things of the past, except where 
through changes of population or other and deeper 
causes the Church loses its hold on the communities. 

Let no one despise the breadth of opportunity 
Effect of such offered by the local church, even if small 
leadership. j n RU mbers, f 0Y the highest kind of Chris- 
tian leadership. A Methodist pastor ought to so im- 
press himself upon a church and community during his 
term of service that it will bear his mark for at least 
a generation. A Christian layman can so entirely 
change the tone of a church and exalt its ideals as to 
more than double its influence. No pastor of expe- 
rience but can point to some one man who, by the 
depth of his Christian experience, purity of char- 
acter, breadth of charity, fraternal courtesy, self- 
denying zeal, or soundness of judgment has trans- 
formed church life and work and widely influenced 
the community. 

This kind of service never finds mention in the 
Rewards of newspapers, and is seldom spoken of be- 
this leadership. f ore t ] ]e congregation. Its rewards come 

in the prosperity and growth of the kingdom of God 
and in the "Well done " at the end of the course. But 
all the rewards are not of this future and impersonal 
kind. In one of the villages in Genesee Conference, 



The Official Members and the Chukch. 35 

sits every Sunday morning in his large upholstered 
chair near the pulpit Father Austin Atcliinson, in his 
one hundred and second year. On his hundredth 
birthday that church was rilled with his friends. 
Former pastors were present, and the chair he occu- 
pies every Sunday was given to him by those w T ho loved 
him. For over seventy years as steward and class 
leader on the Parma Circuit and the Spencerport 
Charge he gave time and means and faithfully served 
God and the church. In his old age that church 
gathered round him with a respect, an affection, and 
a veneration that children could not easily surpass. 
Such work is not in vain. God honors it, and men 
bless the doer and his deeds. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THEIR RELATION TO EACH 

OTHER, 

" Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, 

love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." — 1 Peter iii, 8. 

To men thinking superficially it must often seem 
Nature of the tliat the doing of the work of the Chris- 
work< tian Church by pastors and good men and 

women must be delightful occupation. It seems to 
them far removed from the cares, perplexities, oppo- 
sitions, and trials of ordinary business or social life. 
Sometimes a young man com ins: into such relations, 
and finding the work different from what he sup- 
posed, suffers a grievous shock. To most men it 
would seem sufficient to write under the heading of 
this chapter, " The rules of ordinary intercourse among 
gentlemen, among Christian gentlemen, are all the 
guide needed in official relations with the repre- 
sentatives of that Christian society which is called 
the Church." A more serious consideration will show 
that no work God gives men requires more consecra- 
tion and devotion of spirit, more soundness of judg- 
ment, or more real self-denying love for them than the 
building up of the kingdom of God in the earth. 
Let us consider some of the essential elements of the 
work of the lay officiary arising from the necessity of 
the case. 



Official Members — Relation to Each Other. 37 

If in a meeting of bank directors the president 
should arise and say, w * The corporation is Difficulties to 
losing money and impairing its capita!,'" overcome, 
there would be instant call for the best thought and 
counsel of the whole board to meet the threatened 
danger. Now, the Church is a bodv sure to lose each 
year. Some members die, some remove, some fall out 
by the way. A passive policy means certain death. 
Only such activity as shall win and keep the chil- 
dren, gather in those who make new homes in the 
community, and secure each year accessions from 
those who have been either irreligious or indifferent 
will make the Church strong and influential for its 
mission among men. Suppose at a meeting of a bus- 
iness corporation the president lays before the officers 
the facts of the situation. A strike is impending, or 
prices have suffered a sharp and unexpected decline, 
or trusted agents have embezzled the funds of the 
corporation, or a financial panic has begun, and de- 
cisive measures must be taken or complete and over- 
whelming ruin will end at once their cares and their for- 
tunes. What care and anxiety! What necessity for 
decisive action ! Sometimes such emergencies arise 
in the Christian Church. All the foes without a 
church cannot do it the harm of bad men and women 
within. In the circle of the disciples was Judas; 
Peter had to deal with Ananias and Sapphira ; Paul 
with moral difficulties at Corinth which were as ur- 
gent and required as much wisdom and resolution as 
any financial crisis. These come only rarely, but 
there is the constant warfare of the world, the devil, 
and the flesh against the life of the Church and the 
purity and faith of its members. All these are a care 



38 Manual for Church Officers. 

to the official members. If Simon Magus strives to 
undo the work of a revival at Samaria, or Ely mas to 
hinder the progress of one in Cyprus, not only are the 
apostles, like Peter and Paul, but the whole Church, and 
especially the official members, concerned for the result. 
In addition to these direct assaults upon the faith and 
puritv of the Church there is the care to 

Party spirit. r / . 

meet the more insidious ones which come 
from the intrusion of strong personalities, or mere will- 
fulness, and the rise of party spirit among good men 
and women in the Christian Church. None of Paul's 
writings are of more practical value to the Christian 
Church than those which deal with these things. 
The parties of Apollos, Cephas, and Paul have had 
their successors, and men with the spirit and methods 
of the Judaizers of Paul's day have not been unknown 
in the later ages of the Christian Church. With 
gratitude we acknowledge that the Spirit of Christ 
attending the reception of his Gospel more and more 
drives out these personal and party dissensions. 

Under their care and supervision come the teaching 
sharing pas- of the Sunday school and the training of 
toraicare. young people's societies in the Church. 
Besides all this, who is poor, or sick, or in trouble, or 
offended, and it does not come to the ears, to the 
judgment, and the assistance of the official board ? 
These things come to the official membership through 
the pastor. The burden in the first instance conies 
upon him. They come to share it with him in their 
counsels and cooperation. There is another huge 
section of the work of the church that comes upon 
them in the first instance and in which he gives coun- 
sel and cooperation. 



Official Members — Relation to Each Other. 31) 

Under this head come the financial interests of 
the church. The crucial difficulty of care of the 
church finance, as it relates to current ex- aaance& 
penses in this country, is that the expenses of the 
church, the salaries of those who serve it and the 
care of its property, are a fixed sum. These sal- 
aries are too often pitifully small, but the expenses 
arc certain and fixed. The income to meet these 
expenses is the voluntary gifts of the church 
and congregation. These vary every year from 
death, removal, or the changing financial circum- 
stances and resources of the contributors. To meet a 
fixed expense with a varying income, never very 
large, is the problem. This can be done, and done 
successfully, in all classes of charges. It often is not 
done. The reasons for failure and the conditions of 
success will be set forth in the chapter on stewards 
and their work ; but the statement of the problem 
will show that in church finance there is an impera- 
tive demand for the promptness, energy, and sound 
judgment which command success in ordinary busi- 
ness life in conjunction with those rarer qualities of 
popular sympathy and leadership which secure the 
cooperation of the people in putting the common 
church interests above personal and selfish considera- 
tions. Besides these are the expenses, sometimes ex- 
traordinary, of the care of the buildings and property 
of the church. Then there are the consultation, crit- 
icism, and support of the current pastoral administra- 
tion, and the responsibility of the Quarterly Confer- 
ence to represent correctly the needs, interests, and 
wishes of the church when there is to be a change in 
the pastoral office. It will be seen at once that the 



40 Manual for Church Officers. 

best talent of the church will find ample scope for 
its exercise in the work which falls to the lay officiary 
of the humblest church in Methodism. 

The men who do this work will have as much to 
individual meet with in the individual characteristics 
'S^ of those who compose the official board 

oroiiiciai mem- i 

bers. or the Quarterly Conference as any other 

body of representatives who must deliberate, decide, 
and work in common. We expect these things in a 
legislature, a common council, or a town or school 
board. As they imply no moral defect, why not in 
the lay officiary of the church ? These men all have 
differing temperaments, surroundings, and methods. 
Because of these differing views and interests thev are 
chosen to consult. Then, as Macaulay has pointed out 
in a brilliant passage, wherever concerns of govern- 
ment or common action are decided there will always 
be two parties, the conservative and the progressive.* 
It is rio;ht there should be both with their determin- 
ing characteristics. Only so, by a comparison of views, 
can a wise judgment be found, a right decision 
reached, and the common mind expressed. This 
means that the most diverse modes of thinking stand- 
ardsof judgment, and personalopinionswillfindexpres- 
sion in the gatherings of the officers of the church. 
How can all these clashing views, sentiments, and 
often interests be brought into the harmony of that 
common action which shall honor God, advance the 
church, and bless the community? By earnest, sin- 
cere, prayerful deliberation. But that deliberation will 
the hotter reach the desired result by this observance of 
certain fixed principles and rules. All deliberative 
* History of England, vol. i, p. 76. 



Official Members — Relation to Each Other. 41 

assemblies have rules of order without the observance 
of which no procedure can be had. The meetings 
of the lay officiary are no exception to the necessity 
for such acknowledged and uniform rules. But let 
us first set forth a few principles which lie at the 
foundation of all rules. 

All members of such boards or Conferences are 
upon a footing of complete equality so far as right is 
concerned. The young man who has iust „ ... , 

J - P J Equality of 

entered the board as representing the Sun- right and 
day school or the Epworth League has the 
same rights as the father in Israel who has been for 
forty or fifty years a class leader or a steward, and 
whose knowledge and experience of church affairs are 
as evident as the other's complete ignorance. The day 
laborer has the same right as the millionaire. The 
atmosphere, bearing, and manners suited to the assem- 
bly or meeting is one of complete equality. So far as 
right or privilege is concerned all are equal ; so far 
as weight and influence in counsel and in determining 
a course of action, there will be as much difference as 
there are different individuals. No overbearing or 
domineering manner should be tolerated. While in 
such a gathering all servility is out of place, due defer- 
ence and respect should be shown to age, experience, 
and ability. 

Hence it follows that the freest expression of opin- 
ion is desired ; a perfect frankness in setting forth 
what seems to be the right mode of action, Free expres- 
with an equally frank acknowledgment ^°fo P inion. 
that upon receiving further information or more 
weighty reasons there would follow a prompt acqui- 
escence in a different course or procedure. Only in 



42 Manual for Church Officers. 

such perfect freedom of debate is there assurance that 
the decision reached expresses the best thought and 
common judgment of the body. 

It is equally important to keep in mind that the 
subject-matter of discussion is a proposition or motion, 
Avoidance of and not a person. No man is iitted to take 
personalities. p al .j. - n suc i 1 deliberations who is not ready 

to concede that a man may differ utterly from him in 
regard to the expediency of certain measures and be 
Iiis equal in purity of motive and acnteness and 
weight of intellect. No man in a discussion has a 
right to impose his will or set up his prejudice or 
interest against the common good. 

Christian courtesy, the subduing of our own person- 
ality, a care for the feelings of others, should pervade 
all our common business and association. In such a 
board there is no room for the personal following of 
one or two men or the ranging of its members in 
rival parties upon personal grounds. Love for Christ 
and his cause must keep us above this. 

In cases of conscience, where a man says, " I cannot 
conscientiously agree with the majority, or support 
conscientious the policy they have decided upon," he 
dissent. owes it to his fellow-representatives to say 

so there, and there to enter his protest. This may 
bring about a harmony of action or modify the execu- 
tion of the proposed plan. Or he may with dignity 
or good feeling withdraw from the body as not able 
to support its policy. He has no right to stay in the 
board simply to stir up strife or to keep opposition 
alive. In a case of expediency a man may withhold 
his assent and ask to be excused from the active sup- 
port of a policy which he will not oppose. These 



Official Members — Relation to Each Other. 43 

cases are rare. More failures than from any other 
cause are made by church boards in raising matters of 
expediency to the plane of those involving the defense 
of moral or religious principle. 

After a frank, open, and impersonal discussion upon 
all matters of expediency, which compose ninety one 
hundredths of the business coming before 

o United support 

the official members, when the decision is of official ac- 
reached all members without reserve should 
support the action taken ; those of the minority as 
heartily as those of the majority. The strength of 
the lay officiary in its w r ork for any church and influ- 
ence in any community is the force of the united 
support given to all decisions which have been reached 
in a regularly appointed and legitimate manner. 
Only so can we present a united front to the world 
and secure that support to our plans that will make 
successful their execution and advance the kingdom 
of God in the earth. 

Those who take part in these duties should be trust- 
worthy. Every member should feel that his character 
and reputation are perfectly safe when Tru^twortw- 
speaking his mind w r ith the utmost freedom. ness * 
He should feel that every individual present would 
be too honorable to report anything said, or any action 
had, in a light which would reflect unfavorably upon 
the motives and spirit of those favoring or opposing 
it. All we be brethren, and the character and interest 
of one should be the care of all. Thus all tentative 
action, cases of discipline and character, and many 
matters of pastoral consultation are private in their 
nature. The official members should be men that can 
be trusted to keep to themselves what is of this 



44 Manual for Cjjubcii Officers. 

nature, and what by premature publication would 
injure the interest of the church they are chosen to 
serve. 

No man should be chosen to an official position or 
retained there if his sole function is to grumble and 
cbromc fault- find fault, to continually oppose every pro- 
nnding. posed course of action, the will of the 

majority, or the pastor. Opposition grounded on 
knowledge or principle is to be desired ; it may be 
changed to acquiescence, or overcome by deliberate n, 
or it may bring around to its view the majority. But 
opposition which is constitutional in the man making 
it, or is the result of infirmity or age, is not to be 
desired and cannot promote the work of the church. 
Only men realizing a common interest and obligation 
can aid in the serious and important work which falls 
to the lay officiary of Methodism. With a common 
purpose and a sense of united responsibility every 
meeting of the officials of the church will advance its 
interests. 

No satisfactory records can be made or business kept 
in hand unless the members become familiar with 
parliamentary ordinary parliamentary rules and observe 
law and usage. t ] iem ^he rules applying to Methodist 
assemblies are printed in this volume and should be 
thoroughly mastered. 

Let no one think that the cares and difficulties, the 
annoyances and anxieties, outweigh the valuable re- 
Rewards of suits of cooperation and association in the 
this common work of the Christian Church. Lifelong 
friendships are made ; after long service 
fellow-official members have borne to the tomb, fol- 
lowed by a mourning church, the remains of those 



Official Members — Relation to Each Other. 45 

who in this work have faithfully and efficiently served 
the Church of the living God. 

There is no school for an intelligent, consecrated, 
progressive young man to better develop and train the 
strong and commanding traits of character, and those 
qualities of self-control, deference to others, courtesy, 
and tact that fit for popular leadership, than service 
in the official boards and Quarterly Conferences of 
Methodism. 

An idea of the value of these church societies in 
one phase of their work, and of the leadership which 
under God makes them vigorous and helpful, may be 
gained from Professor Allen in his Continuity of 
Christian Thought, page 376 : 

u Another distinctive feature of the evangelical 
awakening, whether in England, Germany, or Amer- 
ica, was its social character. It did what the Church 
was not doing — it bound men closely together in 
groups or societies, making them feel this close re- 
lationship to each other by making them realize their 
relation to God. . . . Such may be called the first 
practical step toward dispelling the illusion that soci- 
ety was based upon some selfish contract, by which a 
check was put upon those natural tendencies which 
would otherwise tend to their destruction. The idea 
of the Church was reappearing in its original beauty 
and simplicity, as a form of association growing out of 
the very necessities of the religious life — a prophecy 
of a regenerated society which has its being in God." 



CHAPTER V. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE PASTOR. 

"For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, 
ye are God's building." — 1 Cor. hi, 9. 

To the right relationship between the pastor and 
Three essen- the official members of his church three 
tlals * things are essential: mutual self-respect, 

sympathy, and cordial cooperation. 

If the pastor lias not the respect of the best and 
most influential members of his church his 

Mutual respect. ... . p , . 

possibilities oi usefulness are most seriously 
crippled, and the sooner he seeks another Held of labor 
the better for him and for the church. If he cannot 
anywhere command the respect of this class of men 
he should cease anywhere to be a pastor. If he can- 
not respect the official board he is in equally evil 
case. If he cannot secure a change of its personnel 
he should give way to a man who can. 

Sympathy is essential to the best work of any man. 
It may be the sympathy of the home, of 
his fellow-workers, of those who receive 
the benefit of his labors, or the constant sense that he 
is in such union with God that the divine heart and 
will are moved and work with him. Somewhere 
sympathy must gush forth like water from the smit- 
ten rock if the best results of a man's life are to be 
obtained. This is peculiarly true of the pastor. His 
sympathy is drawn upon each day of his pastorate 



The Official Members and the Pastor. 47 

for the sick, the afflicted, the poor, the unfortunate, and 
the dying. If he is constantly to give he must some- 
times receive. By none should this need be answered 
more generously than by the members of the official 
board. No sorrow or affliction could come to them or 
to those they represent but he would feel it. He ought 
to know that in his personal concerns, and most of all 
in his work, he has their warm and active sympathy. 

The truest success of any church rests upon the 
largest measure of earnest cooperation of 

, -I -i • rv» • i i T . a Cooperation. 

the pastor and Ins official advisers. A 
pastor may draw great crowds to the services by his 
magnetic eloquence, but if he does not have the co- 
operation of the leaders among the laymen the 
church will not be built up nor permanent strength 
gained to its membership. A board may be united, 
active, and progressive, but if they have a lax, impru- 
dent, or inefficient pastor the Christian leadership of 
that community will go to some other congregation and 
church. Constant and harmonious cooperation will 
alone produce the results which the Head of the Church 
waits to see realized by his redeemed on the earth. 

This cooperation is shown in three divisions of their 
common work : the spiritual work of the church, its 
temporal concerns, the foundation and dissolution of 
the pastoral relation and proper estimate of its value. 

The main work of a church and its pastor is spirit- 
ual work. The end of all its care and cooperation in 
striving is a spiritual end — u the present- s P mtual work - 
ing every man perfect in Christ Jesus." The sym- 
pathy needed is sympathy in this work. The 
cooperation required is first and always cooperation 
in the spiritual life and activities of the church. 



48 Manual for Church Officers. 

Cooperation in spiritual work means the regular at- 
Attendance tendance of the official members, with 
upon sabbath their families and households, upon the 
Sunday services of the church. Nothing 
can take the place of a full official board ?4tli their 
families in accustomed seats on Sunday morning. 
These are the natural and official leaders of the flock. 
Whatever obligation rests upon other members rests 
with tenfold force upon those whose example and in- 
fluence necessarily have so much weight. No other 
class of men can so help the evening service by their 
attendance as the official members of the church. 
Observation and experience show that churches which 
have crowded evening audiences not onlv have a 
large attendance of the young people, and a preacher 
capable of interesting them, but a full representation 
of the official members. This signifies that the lead- 
ing men of the congregation are interested in the 
evening service, believe the pastor lias something to 
say worth hearing, and that the worship and influence 
and direct Christian work of that culminating hour 
of the holy day is worth their personal sacrifice, their 
prayer, and cooperation. There are reasons personal 
and domestic which excuse from this service ; but if we 
are to build up strong churches, which are to lay con- 
trolling hands upon the young life of the community, 
these reasons must be strong ones to avail and should 
rarely be presented. 

What is true of the attendance of the official mem- 

Attendance ^ ers u P on * ne Sabbath services is yet 
upon midweek more emphatically true of the midweek 

services. • , i i ^ i • n 

services, the class and prayer meetings or 
the church. Nothing can make up for the persistent 



The Official Members a^d the Pastor. 49 

neglect of these means of grace by the official mem- 
bers of the church. The standard of piety is lowered, 
the religious character becomes flabby in the church 
where its leading laymen do not delight in prayer and 
Christian communion. No man with the demands 
of an active business life upon him can give all his 
evenings to the church ; no man with a family of 
growing children around him should give most of his 
evenings to this work; but men in ordinary health, 
who are not called by their business out of the com- 
munity for a large portion of the time, can so arrange 
their work and divide their time as to be regularly 
at the midweek services of the church. Make these 
services so they will interest those members, and those 
of their households who should be with them, and you 
will have meetings that will attract the members of 
the congregation and men and women unsaved. 

In the economy of Protestant Churches there are 
certain seasons when special and united cooperation in 
efforts are made to win the attention of revival work - 
the careless and the sinful to the message of salvation 
and the necessity for a religious life. These pre- 
eminently demand the cooperation of the entire 
official membership with the pastor. Methodism 
was born of the great revival of the eighteenth cen- 
tury. It has lived and grown where revival influ- 
ences and agencies have been cherished and had their 
legitimate place accorded them in our church life. 
Other Churches may live without revivals ; we cannot. 
Revivals will change in their character and methods, but 
not in their aim and their right to the helpful coopera- 
tion of the entire body of the church, and especially of 

its official representatives. Such cooperation, with the 
4 



50 Manual for Church Officers. 

divine blessing, will make the revivals of later times 
all and more than the earlier seasons of refreshing 
were to the Church and to the unsaved and irreligious 
around them. 

In spiritual things the pastor needs the cooperation 
nans for pas- of the official members in his plans for 
toraiwork. pastoral work. Their wisdom and sym- 
pathy in counsel, their encouragement by way of sug- 
gestion and assistance, are invaluable. The knowledge 
that this work is of common interest is a great inspi- 
ration to the pastor in his labors. 

So in all plans for charitable work and in all reform 
cooperation in movem ents the pastor ought not to stand 
charities and out alone before the community. After 
common counsel and deliberation the 
words of the pastor on these themes ought to have all 
the weight that the united consent of the church and 
its leaders can give it. A pastor is a leader ; he must 
lead. To lead he must be in advance, but for the 
best interests of the community, moral and religious, 
he ought not to appear as leading a forlorn hope, but 
a united army with its advancing columns keeping 
even step. This can only be the case where the offi- 
cers of the army, the commanders of corps, divisions, 
and brigades, are in sympathy, and zealously share in 
the work of the commander. 

This cooperation, of course, extends to the temporal 
cooperation in economy of the church. The first essen- 
temporai econ- tial to this end is regular monthly meet- 
onioiai meet- iugs of the pastor and lay officiary. If, 
ings. as j s sometimes unfortunately the case, the 

pastor is forgetful or neglectful in calling the board 
together, then a resolution should be passed making 



The Official Members and the Pastor. 51 

some stated time, as the first Monday evening of the 
month, the regular time of meeting, and then come 
together regularly whether called or not. No body 
of lay officials can render needed service who do not 
meet regularly for deliberation and arrange for the 
proper discharge of the duties which are imposed 
upon them by the administration of the affairs of the 
church. In our smaller charges the full attendance 
upon the monthly meetings of the official board and 
the Quarterly Conferences would do more than any 
other one thing to put the temporal affairs of the 
church upon a sound business basis. 

Not only attendance "upon these meetings, but will- 
ingness to face the necessities of the work, prompt, eca- 
and prompt resolution and action, are im- cient actlon - 
peratively demanded if the condition of the finances 
of trie church be not a reproach to it in the commu- 
nity. Neglect and procrastination have as injurious 
results as absolute betrayal. The man who always 
puts his own business and personal concerns first, and 
gives to the Lord for the service of his Church the 
scraps and remnants of his time, is unworthy of an 
official position. Indifference must give way to a 
sense of personal responsibility, lingering delays to a 
readiness of mind and promptness of action, in many 
places, before the church can expect great things or 
their faith secure a divine blessing which shall turn 
their captivity as the streams in the south. The fun- 
damental principle of all business relations between 
the pastor and the official board is that church busi- 
ness has the same paramount obligation of honesty 
and conditions of success that are required in any other 
business. To fail to meet church obligations is just 



52 Manual for Church Officers. 

as dishonest and quite as injurious as to fail to meet 
those of ordinary business. There is a failure which 
the divine word calls " robbing God." If the servant 
of the church, pastor or otherwise, makes a gift to 
the church, that is one thing; if the cliurch fails to 
pay because of the lack of timely effort on the part 
of the official members, that is quite another. No 
church can escape the consequences of this kind of 
dishonesty. It is all-important in church business that 
there should be definite, set times for payment. The 
Methodist Church has saved many a country church 
where other Churches have died out, by the require- 
ment of annual settlements on account of our Annual 
Conference sessions. We shall have the respect of 
the community, and greatly lessen the trials of the 
itinerancy while lightening the burdens of the official 
members, when we insist upon a quarterly settlement, at 
least, and wherever possible a weekly or a monthly one. 
Many churches pay weekly, and so settle all their bills. 
This is the New Testament rule (1 Cor. xvi, 1, 2). The 
plan of frequent and prompt payment and balance — 
monthly, or if possible weekly — is the goal to be 
reached, and this will be for the best interests of all 
contributors. The church which pays its bills promptly 
is the church that will have the confidence of business 
men, and in increasing measure their support and 
membership. "With this must go a strict accountabil- 
ity and frequent printed or written reports of the con- 
dition of the church to the congregation, so that each 
person may read, or, if necessary, preserve, the reports. 
Nothing so increases interest and promotes liberality 
as a full knowledge of all financial resources and ex-" 
penses. There is nothing known to the official mem- 



The Official Members axd the Pastok. 53 

bers about the current expenses of the church that 
could not with advantage be known to the whole con- 
gregation. The knowledge that frequent reports are 
required will make men anxious to do their work in 
the proper time. In all these things the congrega- 
tion should be taken into the full confidence of the 
board. To secure these results there must be the 
persistent use of such a system as shall cause every 
member of the church and congregation to feel a per- 
sonal interest and responsibility for the financial con- 
dition of the church. " To every man his work" 
should be the motto ; to see that every man, woman, 
and child is interested, if only by a contribution of a 
penny a week or a penny a month, should be the aim 
of church finance. To this must be added the scrip- 
tural injunction, the church, obligation, and the fre- 
quent application of the principle of proportionate 
giving. 

How should the official members regard the pastor 
in his official relation ? " Very highly 

*/ o j Value of the 

in love for his work's sake." He is the pastoral office ; 
spiritual leader and shepherd of the flock ; treatment of 

1 l 7 the pastor. 

the things which strengthen his hands for 
this service should be accorded him. He is the recog- 
nized teacher of religion in the church and the com- 
munity, the leader in the worship of the congrega- 
tion. He should be a man whose character and con- 
duet are fitting such solemn duties, and should have 
that measure of respect and influence which will en- 
able the man and the pastor best to serve the church 
and the community. He is not infallible, and in his 
judgment will need the same charity which men 
extend to each other. Whatever piety, devotion, 



5± Manual for Church Officers. 

talents, or acquirements he may possess should have 
the most generous estimate and be put to the best 
use. Nothing is less wise than comparing other 
men's talents and work to depreciate the pastor. 
Helpful comparisons only should be made. Pastors 
differ. God made them so. But if your pastor is 
called of God to his work he has some qualification 
for his office in larger measure than other men. Use 
the pastor where he is strong ; so will you build up the 
Church of Christ. If in any part of the work he is 
weak supplement the weakness, remembering that no 
man is equally strong in all parts of his work. Do 
nothing to flatter the pride of a pastor, but every- 
thing to make his service more efficient. All pastors 
should be, and most are, gentlemen. They have 
learned self-control and have regard to the rights and 
feelings of others. They ought to receive the treat- 
ment which gentlemen deserve — that New Testa- 
ment courtesy which puts ourselves in the place of 
others, and, when we act, by the manner of our action 
quite as much as by what we do, commends our 
Christian thoughtfulness and fraternal sympathy. 
Expressions of sympathy are always expected from 
him, and being heartily felt are freely given. Why 
should not men in their official intercourse take care 
to guard each other's feelings and express the com- 
mon interest they feel? 

The pastor is the chairman of the official board, of 
the Sunday school board, of the Quarterly Conference 
committees, and in the absence of the presiding elder 
of the Quarterly Conference. In his place as chair- 
man he is still pastor. He should be accorded the 
right of suggestion and the free expression of opin- 



The Official Members and the Pastor. 55 

ion, though this should never be used to hinder the 
freest deliberation. While he presides, still the one 
thing needful for the successful arrangement and ad- 
ministration of the work is the frankest cooperation. 

In the matter of pastoral change the principles of 
Christian courtesy will generally prevail change of 

and be sufficient/ But if they do not the pastor - 
welfare of the Church should not be sacrificed. If a 
pastor endeavors to " pack " a Quarterly Conference 
and thus secure his return he should be strenuously 
resisted. In almost any event the bishop and cabinet 
will right any wrong if a proper statement is made. 
On the other hand, if a faction seeks to remove a 
pastor whose return is generally desired the wishes 
of an insignificant minority should not deprive the 
church of the continuance of a successful pastorate. 
Finally, if there is any considerable minority who 
earnestly seek a change, the pastor and church should 
remember that there are other churches who will give 
increased prosperity to the administration of the re- 
tiring pastor, and other pastors who will minister suc- 
cessfully to the bereaved church. In all things let 
pastor and church seek chiefly the approval of the 
great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE PRESIDING ELDER, 

"Let tlie elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, 
especially they who labor in the word and doctrine." — 1 Tim. v, 17. 

If it should be granted that the Methodist Epis- 
omceandwork C0 P al Church is presbyterian in its orders, 
of the presid- it is unmistakably episcopal in its sii] >er- 

ing elder. • . mi • • • i ^-\ 

vision. Ihis supervision, as much as the 
itinerancy, is essential to its life. The one without 
the other in this country is impossible. This super- 
vision in all connectional interests and in the broader 
aspects of church life belongs to the bishops. In 
all its practical details in ninety-nine one hundredths 
of the churches of Episcopal Methodism it falls to 
the presiding elder. Without his close personal fa- 
miliarity with the facts and requirements, both of 
the pastors and the charges, the friction in the itin- 
erancy would be so increased as to threaten its contin- 
uance. The work of this supervision in the local 
church may be presented under a few heads : 

1. The moral condition of the churches, including 
cases of discipline among the preachers and the peo- 
ple. 

2. The religious life and work of the church. 

3. Observance of the Discipline of the Church ; 
conformity of administration to polity and order. 

4. The training of the church — all societies and 



Official Members and Presiding Elder. 57 

institutions for the education and culture of the min- 
istry and laity. 

5. The care of the current finances of the church — 
pastor's salary, current expenses, etc. 

6. The oversight of the church property. 

7. A special supervision of young men just enter- 
ing their work, and a constant care to see that the 
right men are raised up and prepared for the ministry. 

8. The advocacy and care of all connectional in- 
terests. 

9. The episcopal oversight in the absence of the 
bishop, and his counselor in making the appoint- 
ments. He must be a pastor of pastors and of 
churches. 

10. Constant forethought and purposed action 
toward the wider and nobler development of the life 
and work of the church. He must be ever planning 
for the growth and future greatness of the work com- 
mitted to his care. 

In these ten groups the care, the thought, and the 
work of the presiding elder will mainly Moral dis- 
divide itself. There is no other function eipime. 
of his work more important than the care for the 
moral life of the ministry and churches, and, thank 
God, of less frequent use. Methodism has always ex- 
ercised a strict supervision over the moral life of its 
ministry. No other ministry is purer or more self- 
denying. The ministry of some other communions 
may have a higher average of literary culture. No 
other of anything like its size in Christendom has so 
few who use intoxicating liquors or tobacco. In spite 
of the most efficient safeguards a bad man may get 
into the Methodist ministry. In no other is he so 



5S Manual for Church Officers. 

sure of detection and summary prosecution, and tins 
more largely than from any other cause through the 
office of the presiding elder. There may be condi- 
tions of the moral life of a clmrcli which call impera- 
tively for the exercise of discipline. Neither the 
pastor nor the official members may feel able alone 
to perform the needed work. Methodism has in the 
presiding elder a man who from his position is im- 
partial, whose knowledge of men and affairs and 
whose judgment ought to be beyond the average of 
the ministry, who will never fail nor shrink in such 
an ordeal. Of course, all cases of appeal in the trial 
of church members come before him as president 
of the Quarterly Conference. In the absence of the 
bishop he decides all questions of law in the Quar- 
terly and District Conferences. 

The quarterly supervision of the presiding elder 
ought to largely and helpfully affect the 

Religious life. ?. /*i i i Art 

religious lite ot the church and the com- 
munitv. He cannot initiate measures at the fitting 
time, nor follow them to a successful conclusion, as 
can a pastor. He is in no sense a substitute for him, 
but he may always encourage both the pastor and the 
church. He may see how to remove or surmount 
obstacles better than those who are so close to them 
that their vision is less clear. In all cases he can add 
the weight of his character and influence to the work 
in progress. He can more generally promote revivals 
than any other officer in the Church. 

It is, of course, his care more than anyone's else, to 
conformity to see that the Discipline and usages of the 
law and usage. Church be honored in a wise administration 
and a consistent and obedient observance. In a com- 



Official Members and Presiding Elder. 59 

munion covering so wide an extent of territory, em- 
ploying so many young and partially trained preachers 
amid so wide a diversity of nationalities and conditions 
of men, the value of this common Discipline regularly 
and universally enforced is inestimable. 

The teaching and training office inheres in the 
ministry. The presiding elder, more than Training of 
by his preaching and his example, is to the Cnurcn - 
commend the love for and proper value of sound learn- 
ing. All educational institutions of the Church on his 
district are subject to his oversight and report. He 
is given special charge concerning all Sunday schools 
and young people's societies. At the fourth Quar- 
terly Conference he should ask, "Who of our young 
people are in attendance upon our church schools?" 
All that aids the culture of the community is of in- 
terest to him. The spiritual and intellectual life of the 
ministry and membership is greatly quickened and 
helped by the conventions, institutes, and conferences 
of the district. There is no wise pastor but recog- 
nizes the value of competent leadership to this end. 

In our country charges — and they are the large ma- 
jority — the oversight of the finances by the oversight of 
presiding elder is of the last importance. flmmees - 
We hold these rural communities with a stronger in- 
fluence than any other Protestant Church. Whether 
they remain Christian or drift through religious in- 
difference into spiritual barbarism depends more than 
on any other on the Methodist Church ; more also on 
the supervision of self-denying, competent presiding 
elders than on any other agency in use by the Church. 
The successful endeavor to secure prompt and full 
payment of ministerial salaries and the current ex- 



GO Manual for Church Officers. 

penses of the clmrch in the face of a changing popu- 
lation can only be made by a revival church and a 
definite and systematic supervision. We shall save 

our cities onlv as we increase our influence in the 

t/ 

country. The majority of the leading laymen of our 
city churches are often country-bred. They owe 
largely their success in life to the moral and religious 
principles received through the ministry and fellow- 
ship of the country churches. 

The oversight of all clmrch property, so far as its 
location, title, insurance, indebtedness, etc., are con- 
church cerned, is vested in the presiding elder, 

property. The amount of property thus saved to the 

church and preserved from loss is a large sum each year. 

The hope of any Church is in its .young men, espe- 
cially its young men preparing for or entering the 
Relation to ministry. ^ Our Church probably will 
young min- never confine the work of the ministry to 
those who have graduated from colleges 
and theological schools. There is all the greater need 
for presiding elders who shall see that the Conference 
Course of Study is a solemn reality, and that scholarly 
habits are acquired by the young preachers beginning 
their work under him. Of even greater importance 
to the Church are the ability and character of the men 
to whom he gives their first appointment and whose 
faces he sets toward the door of the Annual Confer- 
ence. In no part of our work is there need for greater 
care and more consecrated effort. Presiding elders 
should have all needed help, but also the careful criti- 
cism of the brethren, and be held to a rigid responsi- 
bility for this part of their work. 

They have charge of the interests of all the great 



Official Members and Presiding Elder. 61 

publishing, educational, and benevolent agencies of the 
Church. Very seldom does a district make connectionai 
advance in the number of periodicals taken, interests. 
the number of young people in our schools, or in our great 
benevolences without the wise and faithful leadership 
of the presiding elder. This includes a care for the con- 
nectionai sentiments and interests in general, as against 
all merely individual or congregational tendencies. 

The presiding elder, in the absence of the bishop, 
exercises supervision. The aggregate expenses of the 
presiding eldership in Methodism amount pastoral 
to a considerable sum. Supervision of supervision, 
large interests and complicated affairs always costs 
something. The men fit for that work are seldom 
unemployed. They usually fill some considerable 
place before their appointment. The question of the 
cost of supervision is not one of the amount paid, but 
of the quality of the supervision obtained. There is 
a cheap supervision which is dear at any price, and 
there is a kind of supervision which will always yield 
a larger return to the Church than any salary received 
will ever express. The influence of example is potent, 
and the presiding elder who is pious, learned, faithful, 
and efficient will help the work as few others on his 
district can. 

The value of the presiding elder in making appoint- 
ments in our system is so well understood that it need 
only be mentioned. In a Conference of three hundred 
pastoral charges if the bishop knows personally a 
score of the pastors and as many of the charges, even 
superficially, the number is above the average. The 
information upon which he relies in forming his judg- 
ment must, in the great majority of cases, come from 



62 Manual for Church Officers. 

the presiding elders, either individually or collectively. 
The bishop in his personal intercourse at Conference 
with pastors and laymen receives assistance incoming 
to conclusions, but his main reliance must be upon the 
men who have exercised supervision during the year. 
The presiding eldership has saved and strengthened 
the churches of rural Methodism, so that in the conn- 
trv we easilv outrank all other denomina- 

His relation to . w " , , . 

tne work in the tions. W e can under adequate leadership, 
country and in w ith our eyes open to changed surround- 

thecity. . i i • *. ^ 

mgs and the necessity ot connectional co- 
operation, achieve in cities a victory even greater than 
one hundred years in the country districts have shown. 
A Methodist presiding elder in a great city ought to 
be the peer of any bishop of the Episcopal or Roman 
Churches. He ought to command the respect of his 
brethren in the ministry and the chief of the laity 
for his piety, ability, character, and power to secure 
results. If he be such a man, and open his eyes to 
his opportunities, he can have such cooperation aud 
win such increase of Christian efficiency as no other 
Church can command. Leadership is not everything, 
but for success leadership is the first thing. May God 
raise up in our great cities presiding elders who in all 
the qualities of consecrated Christian leadership stand 
in the very front rank of the Church of our time ! 

What ought to be the relations of the official mem- 
bers to the men doing such work in the Methodist 
Presiding eid- Episcopal Church ? Loyalty to the office 
ersaudtheoffl- and its work ; esteem for the man who 

cial members. n ... . •. -.. .1 

does this work according to the measure 
of present usefulness ; the most cordial cooperation 
with him in the work which concerns all. The 



Official Members and Presiding Elder. 03 

relatiofis between pastors and presiding elders are 
varied and delicate. Any pastor who has bad the 
visits and counsels of a strong and successful presiding 
elder will always have green spots in bis memory. 
The district meeting, under a man of forethought 
and force, will always be stimulating and inspiring. 
On the other band, all the presiding elder's work and 
care will go for nothing unless be find in the pastorate 
consecrated, able, and successful winners of men. In 
these ways often lifelong friendships are made. In 
more than one Conference the voim^ men bear witness 
to no ordinary training and leadership. 

The relations between the official members of the 
district and the presiding elder ought to be equally 
cordial and helpful. The laymen and the pastor 
ought to seek to make the most of the official visits of 
the presiding elder. A full Quarterly Conference is 
always an opportunity. Much more than the routine 
questions ought to mark its sessions. A prepared 
program could be arranged which would greatly help 
the work of the church and increase the Christian 
influence in the community. The meeting occasion- 
ally of the mass of the membership socially would 
produce good results. Special meetings might be 
held of the Sunday school workers, or the Epworth 
League, or the missionary societies, or the temperance 
or other important committees of the Quarterly Con- 
ference. These, with the extra service rendered in 
the revival meetings, would bring the presiding elder 
in touch with the entire life of the Church. 

The work of the presiding elder with the official 
members, except in the Quarterly Conferences, is 
accomplished through conversation and consultation. 



6i Manual for Chcrch Officers. 

In making appointments the respect inspired by the 
presiding eider character, ability, and record of the pre- 
and pastoral siding elder ought to produce the greatest 
confidence. In all dealings of the pastor 
and official members with each other, and of the 
presiding elder with both, the utmost frankness 
should prevail. Not that promises should be made 
and pledges given which in the nature of the case 
must be contingent, or that every possible alterna- 
tive should be presented and discussed, but that 
such free and frank conversation should be had 
with both the pastor and the church that the pre- 
siding elder should be familiar with their wishes and 
desires, so as to properly represent them, and, where 
feasible or best, to secure their fulfillment. He should 
be in such relations to them that he would gladly pre- 
sent the pastors and the representatives of the church 
at the session of the Annual Conference to the bishop, 
if they desired, to state their own caee. This means 
faithful, free, and fearless dealing with both pastors 
and churches, willingness on the part of the presid- 
ing elder to take and to bear responsibility, to expect 
occasional failures and yet yearly reach a higher level 
of effectiveness on his district. This requires a care 
as to what promises he makes and a greater care to 
keep them. There is hardly a place in the Church 
where a well-meaning weak man can do more harm 
than in the presiding eldership. The relation of the 
churches to the presiding elder's work will always 
vary. Some will prefer to leave all things concern- 
ing the appointment to his discretion and the judg- 
ment of the bishop and cabinet, expecting him to 
bear all the responsibility. Others will think best. 



Official Members and Presiding Elder. 65 

and the presiding elder may greatly desire them, to ap- 
point and have present at the Annual Conference a 
committee with whom, as changing circumstances may 
alter the situation, consultation may be had. In 
many cases the appointments can, with due regard to 
all interests, be practically determined before Con- 
ference. This is the case almost always where pastor 
and people unite in wishing no change. But arrang- 
ing appointments by pastors and churches without 
consultation with the presiding elder brings disaster 
to the interests of the district and the Conference, 
and not seldom to the Church, and should never be 
tolerated in Methodism. Regarding all these things 
there should be a clear understanding at the last 
Quarterly Conference. 

American Methodists, ministers and laymen, can 
afford to trust each other. Pursuing such a fair, 
open, and consistent course, the appointments of a 
district ought to be made with less friction and more 
satisfaction to pastors and churches each added year 
of the presiding elder's service. Of course, there will 
come emergencies — sickness and death will invade ; 
but where the presiding elder and the pastors and the 
presiding elder and Quarterly Conferences understand 
and trust each other there will not be found a better 
system of ministerial appointments than the Meth- 
odist itinerancy. 
5 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THEIR PERSONAL RELIG- 
IOUS LIFE. 

"For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, 
or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come ; 
all are yours: and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." — 1 Cor. 
ill, 21-23. 

Increased burdens require increased strength. 
The official Added cares and interests demand more 
member must en tire consecration. The enlargement of 

V\p o nobler 

holier man the sphere of thought and action must be 
than before. accompanied by a more profound sense of 
dependence upon God. The responsibilities of posi- 
tion, influence, and leadership make imperative a 
more intimate sense of divine communion if our 
work is to be done in truth and wrought in God. 

The fact that the work is church work does not 
church work absolve from the application of these prin- 
does not ciples, but emphasizes them. The work 
itself does not sanctify. It is the man 
who must bring a sanctified nature to the work. 
Hence we conclude, and experience confirms the con- 
clusion, that unless a man has a deeper piety and a 
closer walk with God after he becomes an official 
member he will have less than before. He must be 
a better man or he will be a worse one. Eight here 
many a man makes a lifelong mistake. The work 
will not help him unless God fits him for the work. 



Official Members — Personal Religious Life. 67 

The man who receives this charge from God and 
seeks the added gifts and grace of the Holy Spirit for 
the proper discharge of his trust will prove how God 
can raise up at this day princes in his Israel. The 
man who does not, will, with the very best intentions, 
carry the spirit of the world into the direction of the 
affairs of the Church and betray the cause of our 
Lord in the house of his friends. 

This should not seem a strange doctrine. All are 
aware that the holy charge of the Christian ministry 
does not make men holy. Unless they are much 
better men, as God fits them for their work, they are 
worse men than when in secular life. So in all work 
for Christ, the higher service demands the worthier 
preparation and the mightier inflow of the power of the 
Spirit. All great revivals begin with the pastor and 
the official membership. There are churches that 
have had years of spiritual barrenness because our 
Lord could not do many mighty works with the 
official members because of their unbelief. But the 
great Head of the Church can work wonders with an 
official membership growing in grace and receptive 
of the gifts and influence of the Spirit. O that our 
consecration and reception of the might of the living 
Christ and his indwelling Spirit were §qual to the 
measure of our responsibilities and opportunities ! 

What then is the great need of Christian workers, 
both lay and clerical? Spiritual-minded- 0ur great need 
ness. We must remember that Christ's spirituai-imad- 
kingdom is not of this w r orld and cannot 
be built up by a reliance upon worldly methods. We 
must keep clear of coveting, or taking, material 
goods for the Church that, like Gehazi's gift from 



68 Manual for Church Officers. 

Naaman, bring leprosy with them. We must every- 
where exalt and lift up manhood. The Church that 
is richest in consecrated manhood is wealthiest of all. 
The aim and methods of a Church must be kept true 
to her mission in the world. While the tendency of 
an unconsecrated lay leadership is unconsciously to a 
lower aim and lax methods, and worldly policy in the 
direction of the work of the Church, it works the 
further injury of closing mind and heart to that 
clearer vision which comes to spiritually-minded men 
in the use of the opportunities and resources of the 
Church. God has plan and purpose for eacli individ- 
ual Christian society or Church, as for each Christian 
life. The problem for the Church, as for the individ- 
ual Christian, is to keep in such harmony with the will 
of God that we may be conscious of the divine leader- 
ship. The great men of the Church whom God has 
raised up as leaders have lacked many things which give 
success to schemes of worldly policy <>r aggrandize- 
ment, but they have been men with the spiritual eye 
clear, the spiritual sense quick and receptive, and so 
in touch with the divine that they were conscious of 
the leadership of their anointed Lord. Such were 
Luther and Knox. Such were Wesley and Chalmers. 

Such were Asburv and the Methodist fathers. Such 

«/ 

are D. L. Moody and General Booth, Bishops Taylor 
and Thoburn. These men have not lacked common 
sense, but they have had spiritual sense, which is 
worth more than the wealth of empires and the 
patronage of kings. 

This quality which is so essential in the work of 
the Church at large is of the same priceless value in 
the life and activity of the local church. Sometimes 



Official Members — Personal Religious Life. 09 

in parish work we come to the entrance of two paths, 
when, so far as human judgment can determine, there 
is little to choose, when only the instinct of a clear 
spiritual sense, that quality which we call spiritual- 
mindedness, can rightly guide, or u out of this nettle, 
Danger, pluck the flower, Safety." 

This alone will give us faith, and without faith it is 
impossible to please God or to follow our Lord. A 
spiritnally-minded, faithful pastor and official mem- 
bership will have a church of like mind, and will 
accomplish the purpose of her Lord. 

How shall busy men of business in the world, who 
to an already burdened mind add the 
cares of the church, secure or retain this 
spiritual mind ? As all men do, only by prayer. We 
have the mind of the Spirit only as we are in commun- 
ion with God. Prayer has some essentials. One of 
these is the submission of the whole being;, 

. . ° Submission. 

lite, and plans, business, ambitions, and. 
affections, fears and hopes, to an almighty and all- 
loving heavenly Father, to be thoroughly convinced, 
and to make it the principle of action that to be in 
harmony with God is to make life a success. To fail 
of this, even though we have the kingdoms of this 
world and the glory of them, is to fail utterly and. 
forever. This will humble the man to walk with 
God, w T ho does justly and loves mercy. 

To this keeping the heart and life pliant under the 
divine will must be added a deep longing Longing after 
after God, if a man is to be a man of GocL 
prayer. Like the psalmist he must know what it is 
to have his heart and his flesh cry out "for God, for 
the living God: when shall I come and appear before 



70 Manual for Church Officers. 

God?" All God's gifts cannot satisfy the soul that 
was made for him and will only rest in his presence. 
To such submission of life, to such seeking of heart, 
God, the infinite Father of our spirits, is 

The answer. mr i • « c t 

near, llie asking is not iar parted from 
the receiving. If the prayer be very human in its 
imperfection and weakness the answer in its heavenly 
refreshing and royal bounty is divine, "above all 'that 
we are able to ask or think." Men who have prayed 
and prevailed are the conquerors in this world. The 
legions of triumphant angels are not very far from 
their call. This gives steadfastness of purpose and 
takes the worry out of Christian work. It gives 
firmness and fortitude in trial, and sets an open heaven 
at the gates of death. 

The official member should be a careful and dili- 
study of God's gent student of God's word. Not that 
word. j ]e should study it critically, as should a 

pastor or divinity student ; not that he should study 
it minutely and thoroughly in order to teach, as should 
a Sunday school teacher ; not that he should study 
it to edify others, as the leader of a social religious 
meeting, nor even that he should seek daily spirit- 
ual instruction, guidance, and help for his own 
life as a private Christian. He may read and study 
the Scriptures to any or all these ends. He must 
know from them what God says to his soul, both as 
an individual and a member of the family of our 
Father, the household of faith. But as an official 
member he is to study diligently the principles of 
the divine administration. These principles are re- 
vealed in the law, in God's dealings with his people, 
and especially in that great proclamation of political 



Official Members — Personal Religious Life. 71 

and social principles made by the prophets of the 
Old Covenant. He must understand the vital truths 
of the Gospel upon which is based the divine kingdom 
upon earth, and be familiar with their application in 
apostolic life. There is no such training for the 
leadership of men as the love Christ bore them, the 
mind he possessed/ The church officer who can read 
Paul's address to the Ephesian elders (Acts xx) and 
feel that it reflects his own love and desire to serve 
the Church has the first qualification for success as an 
officer in that body of which Christ is the head. The 
First Epistle of John and the pastoral epistles of Paul 
are special helps in the work of strengthening and guid- 
ing the life of the Church. But we must go back to 
the fundamental truths of a holy God, the eternal 
distinction between righteousness and transgression, 
and must join to it the infinite redemption of Christ 
for the life of families and communities as well as 
individuals, before we can be fitted to do the work of 
God in the service of his Church. This study of the 
word will cause to blend with a strict integrity and 
high sense of honor as a Christian a love like that 
which wept over guilty Jerusalem or so powerfully 
moved Paul at Caesarea, a faithfulness, tact, and 
courtesy like that shown in the apostolic rebukes of 
wayward Churches with a humility like our Lord's. 

To this life of prayer, of careful and devout study 
of the word of God, must be added direct personal 
work for the souls of men. Every human personal work- 
soul is a revelation of God. A divine * ormen - 
purpose is enwrapped in every human life. To aid 
in its unfolding must be a joy of angels. This work 
is committed of Christ to us his followers, the partak- 



72 Manual for Church Officers. 

ers of his redemption. All study and theory pales 
before the personal contact with a human soul awak- 
ened and face to face with the profoundest problems 
of our being. To lead such a one to a choice, decis- 
ive and eternal, of God and righteousness, and see 
through it open the sublimest joys of the human soul, 
is no ordinary experience, and 'brings no ordinary 
strength and joy to the heart. This true spiritual 
culture by Christian work, and the help of seeking 
souls, is a fitness and preparation fur the service of the 
Church and her anointed Lord which every officer 
of hers should covet and seek. This keeps us at once 
in touch with our Lord and with souls he died to 
save — with the great living problems of living men. 
Only a vital piety will help us in such work. This 
will make our Christian life real and our service in 
the Church a labor of love for Christ's sake. 

We have dwelt largely on the responsibilities and 
obligations of official members. They have also their 
Rewards of rewards. To be a member of a Christian 
service. Church is an inestimable privilege. Not 

reckoning the relations into which human salvation 
brings us w 7 ith our risen Lord, such membership allies 
our life and work with the most enduring and potent 
organization known among men. For its persistence 
and power it does not depend upon any material force 
or outward show of conquering might. It has irre- 
sistibly attracted men by the purity of its teaching, 
the nobility of its ideal of human life, the grandeur 
of its conception of human destiny. However lofty 
and beautiful its ideal, the practical life and influence 
of Christianity have so purified and blessed human 
hearts and homes and communities that it is beyond 



Official Members — Personal Religious Life. 73 

all question the pervading element of modern civiliza- 
tion. The conquering march of two thousand years 
begins, in our day, to take on the aspect of world- 
wide dominion. With all its defects the noblest 
memorials of the influence of the living Christ upon 
individual character and the social life and institutions 
of men are found in the nineteenth Christian century. 
There is its beadroll of heroes, martyrs, and saints. 
Into this society of believers have been gathered the 
purest, noblest, and worthiest souls for two thousand 
years, and this society to-day includes the best men 
and women of the age. The work they are doing is 
the grandest work committed to human hands. From 
the cross of Cawnpoor to the graves of the leper 
missionaries, from the triumphs of Garrison, Phillips, 
and Lincoln to those apostles of the later reforma- 
tion, from martyred Haddock down, the leaves of this 
tree of life are for the healing of the nations. 

To be a leader in this work of bringing in the king- 
dom of God upon earth is no common honor. To 
live in the same community and bear consistent testi- 
mony for a lifetime to the saving power of Christ is 
no small privilege. To live so that one's word has 
greater weight and influence with the years is great re- 
ward. To see the Lord prosper the work given to 
your hand, so that his Church is more holy and more 
helpful — its children trained for Christ ; its young men 
and maidens kept from the snares of the devil, saved of 
Christ and growing up into him ; its entire member- 
ship enjoying a vivid and blessed Christian experience; 
the company of believers united in love and in earnest 
work to save lost men — this is seeing such fruit of 
one's labors as few other fields of Christian work 



74 Manual for Church Officers. 

afford. To be in the fellowship, nay, to be a helpful 
leader, of a prosperous, powerful, and aggressive 
Christian Church is an honor and reward such as is not 
easily paralleled among men. To hear the final " Well 
done, good and faithful servant : enter thou into the 
joy of thy Lord," will far outweigh all sacrifices, 
trials, and vexations of his service in the Church on 
earth. 



PART II 



THE SPECIFIC DUTIES OF OFFICIAL 
MEMBERS. 



A. MINISTERIAL MEMBERS. 

APPOINTED BY THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 

STJPE RNUMER ARIES. 

SUPERANNUATES. 

B. LAY MEMBERS. 

LOCAL PREACHERS — EXHORTERS. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. 

PRESIDENTS OF EPWORTH LEAGUE CHAPTERS. 

CLASS LEADERS. 

STEWARDS. 

TRUSTEES. 

C. CHURCH COUNCILS. 

LEADERS AND SI 

OFFICIAL BOARD. 

QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. 

DISTRICT CONFERENCE. 

LAY ELECTORAL CONFERENCE. 
HINTS TO CHURCH OFFICERS. 
RULES OF ORDER. 



CHAPTER I. 

MINISTERIAL MEMBERS. 

SUPERNUMERARY MINISTERS. 

TT 190. A supernumerary minister is one who, because of 
impaired health, is temporarily unable to perform full work. 
He may receive an appointment or be left without one, ac- 
cording to the judgment of the Annual Conference of which 
be is a member; but he shall have no claim on the beneficiary 
funds of the Church except by vote of the Conference ; and lie 
shall be subject to all the limitations of the Discipline in re- 
spect to reappointment and continuance in the same charge 
that apply to effective ministers. In case he be left without 
an appointment be shall have a seat in the Quarterly Confer- 
ence, and all the privileges of membership, in the place where 
he may reside. He shall report to the fourth Quarterly Con- 
ference and to the pastor all marriages solemnized and all 
baptisms administered. In case he lives beyond the bounds of 
his Conference lie shall forward annually a certificate similar 
to that required of a superannuated minister. 

SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS. 

1T 191. Every superannuated minister, who may reside with- 
out the bounds of the Conference of which he is a member, 
shall have a seat in the Quarterly Conference, and all the priv- 
ileges of membership, in the church where he may reside; he 
shall report to the fourth Quarterly Conference and to the pas- 
tor all marriages solemnized and all baptisms administered, 
and he shall annually forward to his Conference a certificate of 
his Christian and ministerial conduct, together with an ac- 
count of the number and circumstances of his family, signed 
by the presiding elder of the district or the pastor of the 
charge within whose hounds he may reside; without which the 



78 Manual for Church Officers. 

Conference shall not be required to allow his claim, and may 
locate him without his consent. — Discipline. 

The presiding elder, or the elder sent to represent 

him, or in their absence the pastor, is the president 

of the Quarterly Conference. The travel- 

Clerical mem- . ^ 

bers of the mg preachers who are members of it are 
Quarterly con- t i ie p as t r and any brethren who are ap- 

ference. r ' . . 

pointed to educational work, chaplaincies, 
or the press, and all supernumerary or superannuated 
preachers residing within the bounds of the charge, 
or who have their memberships in the Quarterly 
Conference by appointment of the Annual Confer- 
ence. The supernumerary and superannuated preach- 
ers and their brethren without pastoral charge ought 
to add strength to any Quarterly Conference. 

The supernumerary preachers are generally en- 
superaumer- g a g e( 3 in business. Their temptation is 
ary preachers. t o become secularized. Happy the case 
when such preachers, if they be prospered, retain the 
self-denial and liberality of early pastoral days ; harm- 
ful beyond measure if the community have the im- 
pression that the clerical title and Conference con- 
nection is retained solely for business advantages and 
the call to the Gospel ministry is degraded to in- 
creasing the gains of secular life. 

The experience and wisdom of the superannuate 
ought to give weight to his counsel. No man more 
superannuated eloquently pleads for Christ and the 
preachers. Christian life than the minister worn with 
labors and with years, who has learned the secret of 
growing old gracefully, whose soul has been chastened 
and whose disposition has been sweetened by lifelong- 
communion with his Lord. These men, not only for 



Ministerial Members. 79 

their past but for the present, in closing serenely a 
well-spent life are the priceless heritage of the 
Church. The clerical element in the Quarterly Con- 
ference should keep aloof from all partisanship and 
strifes of opinion. As a rule the work belongs to 
others. It should be theirs to give wise counsels in 
deliberations and burning inspiration to the work of 
the official board and the Quarterly Conference. 
They are so raised above the petty details of minis- 
terial service that they can emphasize the great and 
momentous interests for which the Church stands and 
which must control its work. Happy is the church 
whose clerical helpers among its official membership 
forget to censure or to point out defects, but who can 
be counted upon for judicious and impartial counsel, 
and for an enthusiasm in Christian service whose infi- 
nite variety of soul-absorbing passion age cannot with- 
er nor time render stale. 



CHAPTER II. 

LOCAL PREACHERS AND EXHORTERS. 

LOCAL PREACHERS. 

IT 192. Wherever a District Conference exists, the powers here- 
inafter conferred on Quarterly Conferences in relation to local 
preachers and exhorters shall be exercised only by the District 
Conference; but it shall not license any person to preach, nor re- 
new the license of any person to preach or exhort, nor recom- 
mend any local preacher to the Annual Conference for orders 
or for recognition of orders, or for reception on trial, without 
the previous recommendation of the Quarterly Conference, or 
of the leaders and stewards' meeting of the charge of which he 
is a member. 

1 193. The Quarterly Conference, where no District Con- 
ference exists, shall have authority — 

1. To license proper persons to preach; provided, they shall 
have been previously recommended by the society of which 
they are members, or by the leaders and stewards' meeting; 
shall have passed a satisfactory examination in the studies pre- 
scribed for candidates for license to preach; and shall also have 
been examined in the presence of the Conference on the sub- 
ject of doctrine and discipline. And no member of the Church 
shall be at liberty to preach without such a license. 

2. To examine local preachers in the course of study pre- 
scribed for them; to inquire into the gifts, labors, and useful- 
ness of each byname; to inquire if they will w T holly abstain 
from the use of tobacco; and to renew their licenses annually, 
when, in the judgment of the Conference, their gifts, grace, 
and usefulness, and their faithfulness and proficiency in study, 
warrant such renewal. 

3. To recommend to the Annual Conference local preachers 
who arc suitable candidates for deacons' or elders' orders 



Local Preachers and Exiiorters. 81 

(1^1 162, 165), for recognition of orders (IF 153), or for recep- 
tion on trial (TT 146), such candidates having been previously 
examined in the presence of the Quarterly Conference on the 
subject of doctrine and discipline. 

4. To try, suspend, deprive of ministerial office and creden- 
tials, expel, or acquit any local preacher of the circuit or sta- 
tion against whom charges shall have been preferred. 

Note.— For the licensing, amenability, and appeal of local preachers in mis- 
sions in the United States and Territories, see 1 342. 

TF 194, § 1. Every local preacher, ordained or unordained, 
not having a pastoral charge, shall be a member of, and ame- 
nable to, the Quarterly Conference where he resides. 

§ 2. But if he has a pastoral charge his Quarterly Confer- 
ence membership shall be in that charge. 

§ 3. Whenever a preacher is located or discontinued by an 
Annual Conference he shall thereupon hold his Quarterly Con- 
ference membership where he resides at the time of location 
or discontinuance. 

§ 4. When a local preacher shall change his residence he 
shall procure from the pastor of the charge from which he re- 
moves, or from the presiding elder of the district, a certificate 
of his official standing and of dismissal, and shall present it to 
the pastor of the charge to which he removes. Tf he neglects 
to do this he shall not be recognized nor use his office as a 
local preacher in the charge to which he has removed; and he 
shall continue to be amenable to the Quarterly Conference of 
the charge from which he has removed, which may, if the 
neglect be long continued, after due notice, try him for per- 
sistent disobedience to the order of the Church, and upon con- 
viction thereof deprive him of ministerial office and credentials. 

*X 195. The presiding elders and the preachers in charge are 
required so to arrange the appointments, wherever it is prac- 
ticable, as to give the local preachers regular and systematic 
employment on the Sibbath: 

f 196. Every local preacher shall be enrolled in a class, and 
meet with it. He shall make to the District or Quarterly Con- 
ference a report of his labors, as follows: 1. Number of ser- 
mons preached; 2. Number of prayer meetings attended; 
3. Number of class meetings attended; 4. Number of Sunday 
6 



S2 Manual for Church Officers. 

schools attended; 5. Marriages solemnized, with the names of 
the persons married, and baptisms administered, with the 
name and ages of the persons baptized, that due entry may be 
made by the pastor in the church records: 6. dumber of 
funerals conducted; 7. Miscellaneous items. If a local 
preacher be found neglectful of any of the above duties, or 
unacceptable in his ministerial office, the Quarterly Confer- 
ence may, after due trial, deprive him of his ministerial office. 

IF 197. Whenever a local preacher fills the place of a travel- 
ing preacher, with the approbation of the presiding elder, he 
shall be paid for his time a sum proportional to the allowance 
of a traveling preacher, which sum shall be paid by the charge 
at the next Quarterly Meeting, if the traveling preacher whose 
place he filled up were either sick or necessarily absent; or, in 
other cases, out of the allowance of the traveling preacher. 

IT 198. If a local preacher be distressed in his temporal cir- 
cumstances on account of his service in the charge he may apply 
to the Quarterly Conference, wdio may give him what relief is 
judged proper, after the allowance of the traveling preachersand 
their families, and all other regular allowances, are discharged. 

EXnORTERS. 

T 199. An exhort er shall be constituted by the recommen- 
dation of the class of w T hich he is a member, or of the leaders 
and stewards' meeting of the charge, and a license signed by 
the pastor. 

IT 200. The duties of exhorters are, to hold meetings for 
prayer and exhortation wherever opportunity is afforded, sub- 
ject to the direction of the pastor; to attend all the sessions 
of the District and Quarterly Conferences, and to present a 
written report to the same. He shall be subject to an annual 
examination of character in the Quarterly Conference, and a 
renewal of license, to be signed by the president thereof. — 
Discipline. 

i; Every local preacher, ordained or unordained, not 
having a pastoral charge, shall be a member of, and 
amenable to, the Quarterly Conference; where he 



Local Preachers and Exhorters. S3 

resides. But if he lias a pastoral charge his Quarterly 
Conference membership shall be in that charge." 
This provision of the Discipline puts the fourteen 
thousand local preachers in the Quarterly Conferences 
of the Church. 

Local preachers in our economy are of three classes : 
First, those who have been members of the traveling 
connection, but who for any cause have Former travel- 
found it necessary to relinquish that work. m ?P r8actiers ' 
All honor to such men who show by life and example 
that they serve Christ as lovingly and as earnestly 
now, in the ranks, as when leading the charge. 
Secondly, the young men who are prepar- Young men 
ing for the regular work of the pastorate preparing for 

i . . , mi the ministry. 

and ministry, lhese young men are per- 
suing their studies, doing what Christian and minis- 
terial work they can, acting under the authority of 
the Church as licentiates or local preach- preachers in 
ers in orders. Such young men are the locaiwork. 
hope of the ministry and the Church. Third, those 
who expect to pursue secular avocations during the 
week but preach and hold meetings for religious serv- 
ices on Sun da v. This last class were the original 
local preachers. 

Thev still do a vast amount of work among our 
"Wesleyan brethren in England and in the Methodist 
Church in Canada. Our conditions are much differ- 
ent, but our needs are not less. There is no doubt 
but for every traveling preacher we have equal need 
for a local preacher at work every Sunday. To say 
nothing of such as are in regular evangelistic work, 
the neglected neighborhoods, the ungospeled thou- 
sands in sight of our church doors, are a standing invi- 



84 Manual for Church Officers. 

tntioti and demand for a consecrated and trained local 
ministry. In the country we need local ministers who 
will be willing to leave the home church and go three 
or five miles, organize and carry on a Sunday school, 
sustain, if necessary, a week night cottage prayer 
meeting, preach plain, practical, helpful Gospel ser- 
mons which shall be beyond criticism in rhetoric or 
grammar. In cities there are opportunities even 
more abundant. God and the Chinch must call men 
for this work, they must he trained for it, delight in 
it, and be honored by it. In the Quarterly Confer- 
ence these men will have the weight and influence 
their character and work command. Besides these 
regularly authorized lay preachers we ought to feel 
at liberty to employ as lay workers men and women 
without license who have any special gift of instruc- 
tion, or exhortation, or training, or experience which 
would be helpful to the congregation. If Mr. Glad- 
stone or Professor Richard T. Ely can speak acceptably 
in Episcopal congregations why should not Meth- 
odism utilize her resources among her strong unli- 
censed laymen? 

Exhorters are members of the Quarterly Conference. 
These brethren are authorized to hold 

T* 1 x ^i o r t p t*^i 

meetings and to address congregations by 
exhortation. Many thus addressed have been led to 
begin a religious life. This is often and should gen- 
erally be the first step to the local ministry. Men to 
whom we would hesitate to give a license as local 
preachers on account of inexperience may be safely 
employed as exhorters. 



CHAPTER III. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. 

1T 329. For the moral and religious instruction of our chil- 
dren, and for the promotion of Bible knowledge among all 
our people: 

§ 1. Every Sunday school of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church shall be under the supervision of a Sunday school 
board, and shall be auxiliary to the Sunday School Union of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

§ 2. The Sunday school board shall consist of the pastor, 
who shall be ex officio chairman, the Sunday school committee 
appointed by the Quarterly Conference, the superintendent, tlie 
assistant superintendents, the secretaries, the treasurer, the 
librarians, and the teachers of the school. 

§ 3. The superintendent shall be nominated annually by the 
Sunday school board, and confirmed by the Quarterly Confer- 
ence at its next session after such nomination ; and in case of a 
vacancy the pastor shall superintend or secure the superintend- 
ing of the school until such time as the superintendent nom- 
inated by the Sunday school board shall be confirmed by the 
Quarterly Conference. 

§ 4. The other officers of the school shall be elected by the 
Sunday school board. 

§ 5. The teachers of the school shall be nominated by the 
superintendent, with the concurrence of the pastor, and elected 
by the board. 

§ 6. In case of the withdrawal of officers or teachers from 
the school they cease to be members of the board; and the 
place of any officer or teacher habitually neglecting his or her 
duty, or being guilty of improper conduct, may be declared 
vacant by a vote of two thirds of the board present at any 
regular or special meeting. 



86 Manual for Church Officers. 

§ 7. It shall be the duty of the Sunday school board, when- 
ever practicable, to organize our schools into temperance so- 
cieties, under such rules and regulations as the board may 
prescribe, the duty of which societies shall be to see that 
temperance instruction is imparted to the school, and secure, 
so far as possible, the pledging of its members to total absti- 
nence. 

TF 330. It shall be the duty of the presiding elder to bring 
the subject of Sunday schools before the last Quarterly Confer- 
ence of each year; and said Quarterly Conference shall appoint 
a committee of members of our Church of not less than three 
nor more than nine for each Sunday school in the charge, to 
be called the Committee on Sunday schools, whose duty it 
shall be to aid the pastor and the officers of the Sunday schools 
in procuring suitable teachers, in promoting in all proper 
ways the attendance of children and adults on our Sunday 
schools and at our regular public worship, and in raising money 
to meet the expenses of the Sunday schools of the charge. Of 
the committee the pastor shall be chairman. 

IF 331. It shall be the duty of the pastor, aided by the 
superintendent and the Committee on Sunday schools, to de- 
cide as to what books and other publications shall be used in 
the Sunday schools. 

IF 332. It shall be the special duty of the pastor, with the 
aid of the other preachers and the Committee on Sunday 
schools, to form Sunday schools in all our congregations 
where ten persons can be collected for that purpose, which 
schools shall be auxiliary to the Sunday School Union of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church ; to engage the cooperation of as 
many of our members as they can ; to visit the schools as often 
as practicable; to preach on the subject of Sunday schools and 
the religious instruction of children in each congregation at 
least once in six months ; to form classes, wherever they can, 
for the instruction of the larger children, youth, and adults, 
in the word of God; and where they cannot superintend them 
personally, to see that suitable teachers are provided for that 
purpose. 

IF 333. It shall be the duty of our ministers to enforce faith- 
fully upon parents and Sunday school teachers the great im- 



Sunday School Superintendents. 87 

portance of instructing children in the doctrines and duties of 
our holy religion ; to see that our Catechisms be used as exten- 
sively as possible in our Sunday schools and families; and to 
preach to the children, and catechise them publicly in the 
Sunday schools and at public meetings appointed for that pur- 
pose. 

IT 334. It shall be the duty of every minister in his pnfetoral 
visits to pay special attention to the children; to speak to 
them personally and kindly on the subject of experimental 
and practical godliness, according to their capacity; to pray 
earnestly for them; and diligently instruct and exhort all 
parents to dedicate their children to the Lord in baptism as 
early as convenient. 

IT 335. Each pastor shall lay before the Quarterly Conference, 
to be entered on its journal, the number, state, and average 
attendance of the Sunday schools in his charge, and the ex- 
tent to which he has preached to the children and catechised 
them, and shall make the required report on Sunday schools to 
his Annual Conference. — DisciiMne. 

Two and a half million Sunday school scholars 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, five Characteristics 
million in American Methodism, twenty of the Sunday 
million or more in this country ; Sunday 
schools the world over in all Protestant and many 
Roman Catholic Churches — these are the facts with 
which we have to deal. This is the most universal 
form of religious instruction the world has seen. The 
Bible is the text-book, studied as no other book ever 
in the hands of men has been. The school, which at 
first was confined to little children and boys and girls, 
now becomes more and more the school of the church 
and congregation, proving the increasing hold the 
truth of the divine revelation has upon the adult 
life, the best-trained minds of the most intelligent 
generation which has ever lived. The fitness of the 



88 Manual for Church Officers. 

training for young life is so recognized that, however 
indifferent men may be about religion themselves, 
few men are to be found who do not wish their 
children trained in some Sunday school. The mere 
statement of these facts is a complete refutation of 
the majority of the objections used by infidel writers 
and lecturers against the Bible. 

This training in the knowledge of God's word, and 
opportunity its application to the life and conduct of 
and resources. the children and youth of the church and 
the majority of the congregation, is one of the grav- 
est responsibilities of the Christian Church. . It would 
be difficult to overstate the opportunity, Nor can 
the sum of the resources employed seem otherwise 
than immense. The hundreds of thousands of teach- 
ers, including men a^d women of the highest intel- 
ligence and character in the land ; the costly build- 
ings; the vast circulation of the Holy Scriptures, 
varying in price from a five-cent Testament to a 
fifteen-dollar Teacher's Bible; the learning, enter- 
prise, and money expended upon the various lesson 
leaves and teachers' helps ; the Sunday school peri- 
odical press, from the Sunday School Times and 
teachers' journals to the various children's papers, 
enormous in the aggregate ; the Sunday school libra- 
ries with thousands of volumes added every year — 
these are some of the resources. Indeed, without 
.more than one generation of Sunday school training 
Chautauqua circles and young people's societies would 
never have come into being. 

With all these resources the trouble with many 
Sunday schools r.s assemblies for Bible study is that 
there is no study and but little Bible. We need to 



Sunday School Superintendents. S3 

pay attention to quality as well as quantity. All that 
first-class teachers' meetings and normal Quality of the 
classes can do is needed to cany on a work * 
progressive, thorough, and soul-training study of the 
word of God. This we must do, but this will take the 
best brain and heart of the Church. 

The pastor has oversight of this work. It is also 
under the control of the Quarterly Confer- The superin- 
ence. But the pastor and the Quarterly indent. 
Conference commit the direction of the work of the 
Sunday school to the superintendent. He is nomi- 
nated bv the Sunday school board and confirmed by 
the Quarterly Conference. He has charge of the 
school. His most important duty is the choice and 
training of suitable teachers for this work. This re- 
quires judgment, tact, and power to work with and 
through others. The teachers' meeting is indispensa- 
ble to a well-ordered school. If the pastor, as is gener- 
ally desirable, be the teacher of the teachers, the super- 
intendent should he always present. All possible detail 
work should be arranged so that as little time as pos- 
sible should be taken for this work on the Lord's day. 
The superintendent must know children and love 
them. The grading and assigning of scholars to 
classes requires a quick eye, sound judgment, and a 
sympathetic heart. 

The superintendent must work in harmony with 
the pastor. Together they nominate the Atmosphere of 
teachers. The pastor is the chairman of thescb001 - 
the Sunday school board. Ill success betides the 
school where these two chief officers are not in clos- 
est harmony. There is an atmosphere to every Sun- 
day school. It may be of order, of fellowship, of 



90 Manual for Church Officers. 

benevolence, of devout study of the word ; it may 
come from many causes, but the man responsible for 
its being the powerful and molding spiritual influ- 
ence on the young life gathered before him each week 
is the superintendent. If lie be a man of character, 
of influence, of devout piety, apt to teach, delight- 
ing in the workers and the work, the tone of the 
school will reveal what manner of man the superin- 
tendent is. May God raise up in all our churches 
holy men, loving Christ and his children, called of 
God, and especially fitted for the work ! The Church 
for generations to come will bear the impress of their 
character and work. 



CHAPTER IV. 

PRESIDENTS OF EPWORTH LEAGUE CHAPTERS. 

H 325. For the purpose of promoting intelligent and vital 
piety among the young people of our churches and congrega- 
tions, and of training them in works of mercy and help, there 
shall be an organization under the authority of the General 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and governed 
by the following constitution : 

I. CONSTITUTION. 

Article 1. Name. — The title of this organization shall be 
" The Ep worth League of the Methodist Episcopal Church.' 1 

Article 2. Object. — The object of the League is to promote 
intelligent and vital piety in the young members and friends 
of the Church, to aid them in the attainment of purity of heart 
and constant growth in grace, and to train them in works of 
mercy and help. 

Article 3. Organization. — With a view to carry out the 
objects of the League the chapters, and such other young peo- 
ple's societies as may be approved by the Quarterly Conferences, 
shall be organized into Presiding Elders' District Leagues, and 
may also be formed into General Conference District Leagues. 
Other groupings may be arranged for the advantage of the 
work, such as Annual Conference Leagues, State Leagues, 
City Leagues, etc. The chapter shall be under the control of 
the Quarterly Conference and the pastor. Any young people's 
society may become an affiliated chapter of the Epworth 
League; provided, it adopt the aims of the League, that its 
president and officers and general plans of work be approved 
by the pastor and official board or Quarterly Conference, and 
that it be enrolled at the central office.* 

* It is not hereby intended to disturb the present status of other younsr peo- 
ple's societies now organized in the Methodist Episcopal Church which are 
under control of the pastor and Quarterly Conference. 



02 Manual for Church Officers. 

Article 4. Government. — The management of the League 
shall be vested in the Board of Control, to consist (1) of fifteen 
members appointed by the bishops, one of whom shall l>e a 
bishop, who shall be President of the Epworth League and of 
the Board of Control; (2) and of one member from each Gen- 
eral Conference district to be chosen as the organization in 
each General Conference district may decide. This Board of 
Control shall meet twice in each quadrennium. When the 
Board of Control holds its first meeting in the quadrennium, 
should any General Conference district be without representa- 
tion by failure to elect, the board may elect some one from the 
district to represent it. 

Article 5. Officers. — The officers of the League shall be a 
president, four vice presidents — two of whom at least shall be 
laymen — a general secretary, and a treasurer, who shall consti- 
tute the General League Cabinet, of which the editor of the 
Epworth Herald and the German assistant secretary shall be 
members ex officio. The president shall be chosen as hereinbe- 
fore provided. The vice presidents shall be chosen by the 
Board of Control from their own members. The general sec- 
retary shall be elected by the Board of Control, and shall be the 
executive officer of the League. He shall have charge of all 
correspondence and shall keep the records of the League. He 
shall also be editor of Epworth League publications other than 
the Epicorth Herald. The treasurer shall be elected by the 
Board of Control. The editor of the Epworth Herald shall be 
elected by the General Conference. All these officers shall be 
elected quadrennially, and shall hold office until their succes- 
sors are chosen. The duties of the general secretary and the 
editor of the Epworth Herald shall be performed under the di- 
rection of the Board of Control; and the Cabinet shall act for 
the Board of Control ad interim. Vacancies in any of the above 
named positions except the presidency and the editorship of 
the Herald shall be filled by the Cabinet, subject to the approval 
of the Board of Control. 

Article 6. German Assistant Secretary. — The editor of the 
Haus und Herd is constituted the German assistant secretary of 
the Epworth League, and thereby a member of the General 
League Cabinet. 



Presidents of Epworth League Chapters. 93 

Article 7. Finances. — The salaries of the editor of the 
Epworth Herald and of the general secretary shall be fixed by 
the Book Committee. All other expenses of the Board of 
Control shall be met through means which it shall devise. No 
collection shall betaken by the Epworth League of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church except for League purposes. 

Article 8. Central Office. — The central office of the Epworth 
League shall be in Chicago, 111. 

Article 9. Local Constitution. — The constitution for local 
chapters shall be in charge of the Board of Control; provided, 
however, that no enactment shall be made Avhieh shall in any 
manner eonilict with this general constitution. 

Article 10. By-Laws.— The Board of Control shall have 
power to enact such by-laws for its own government as will 
not con Hict with this constitution. 

Article 11. Amendments. — This constitution shall be altered 
or amended on\y by the General Conference. 

II. duties of presiding elders and pastors. 

I 326. It shall be the duty of the presiding elders when 
holding District or Quarterly Conferences to inquire into the 
condition of Epworth League chapters and such other young 
people's societies as may be under the control of the Quarterly 
and District Conferences, and to ascertain whether they are 
conducting their affairs in harmony with the purpose and Dis- 
cipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

r 827. It shall be the duty of pastors to organize, if possible, 
and to maintain, if practicable, chapters of the Epworth League. 

H 328. The president of an Epworth League chapter must 
be a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and shall be 
elected by the chapter and confirmed by the Quarterly Confer- 
ence, of which body he shall then become a member. It shall 
be his duty to present to the Quarterly Conference a report of 
his chapter, together with such other information as the Con- 
ference may require and he may be able to give. — Discipline. 

THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. 

The Epworth League movement is the greatest in 
numerical strength and in possibilities of any form of 



94 Manual for Church Officers. 

church organization which lias been adopted by Meth- 
importanceof odism since the rise of the Sunday school, 
the work. j ts p] ace an( \ development liave been quite 

as providential. There was need of church training 
of the children of the Church before the founding of 
the Sunday school. Equally was there need of some 
form of church life and work which would fill the 
gap between the Sunday school and the Church. 
This, in God's providence, has come and is fraught 
with blessings equal to those brought by the Sunday 
school. 

The chapter in the Discipline upon the Epworth 
Disciplinary League is confined mainly to the work of 
provisions. ^] ie g eIiera j organization ; the work of 

the local chapters is eft to be developed by the 
Board of Control or the circumstances of the case as 
they affect the chapters and its officers. Perhaps 
this freedom of action is the wisest course with such 
a rapidly developing movement. 

A few points are suggested in regard to the presi- 
dents of Epworth League chapters. 

They should be men and women who believe that 
Belief in the the great mission of the Epworth League 
spiritual mis- • goul w j nn j n p. an( j sou i cn lture. Just as 

sion of the o 

League. far as this movement awakens and satisfies 

a spiritual need in the lives of the young people will 
it become one of the permanent and controlling 
forces of the Christian Church. Young people develop 
rapidly physically and intellectually; they need and 
crave a spiritual development that shall bring them into 
vital personal communion with God, and shall both con- 
trol conduct and mold character. The chapter which 
works steadily to this end will live and prosper. The 



Presidents of Epworth League Chapters. 95 

prayer meeting of the League is the key to its success. 
If that is inspiring, vigorous, and fruitful the League 
will gain in numbers and in influence. 

The Epworth League president ought to believe 
in the pledge. The Methodists are a Belief in the 
pledged people. The early class meeting P led £ e - 
was made up of pledged attendants. The young 
people's societies in all the Churches are hut modifica- 
tions of that movement. If the League represents a 
spiritual life, power, and work for which they may 
gladly pledge themselves, their time, and their co- 
operation, then it will attract young people and hold 
them. If it represents only the social, charitable, and 
literary side of their united effort, if it has no uplift 
of inspiration that leads to joyous self-denial and 
sacrifice, it will last while it pleases and until some 
novelty more fresh and striking appears. In the 
work of the Epworth League the cross must be the 
center and the living motor force which gives order 
and power to the whole. 

The League should supply intellectual stimulus and 
training. It should be in closest sym- intellectual 
pathy with our schools of every grade. work * 
The chapters should know the work of these schools 
and aid in if. They should be recruiting stations for 
students. More than this; the League should help 
the intellectual life of those who cannot attend the 
schools and of those whose school days are over. 

The Department of Mercy and Help will always 
secure interest and cooperation. It can- Mercy and 
not fail to do good in any community in help ' 
blessing those who give and those who receive. It 
shows the spirit of Christ manifest in the world these 



96 Manual for Chckch Officers. 

nineteen hundred years after his ministry in the flesh 
has ended. 

The Department of Entertainment or Social Life 
requires all the grace, gifts, tact, and con- 
secrated ability of every sort possessed by 
the president, his cabinet, and the whole chapter. 
No more important work is before the young conse- 
crated life of our Church than the bringing in of a 
Christian social order into the life they live and the 
Church they love. May all good men and women 
aid therein, and may there be granted the blessing and 
guidance of Almighty God ! 



CHAPTER V. 

CLASS LEADERS. 

Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord 
heartened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him 
for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they 
shall be mine, saith the Lord of bo-its, in that day when I make up my jewels ; 
and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.— Mai. 
iii, 16, 17. 

CLASSES AND CLASS MEETINGS. 

If 50. The design of the organization of classes and the 
appointment of leaders is, 

§ 1. To establish a system of pastoral oversight that shall 
effectively reach every member of the church. 

§ 2. To establish and keep up a meeting for social and relig- 
ious worship, for instruction, encouragement, and admonition, 
that shall be a profitable means of grace to our people. 

§ 3. To carry out, unless other measures be adopted, a finan- 
cial plan for the raising of moneys. 

IT 51. The primary object of distributing the members of 
the church into classes is to secure the subpastoral oversight 
made necessary by our itinerant economy. In order to secure 
this oversight, 

§ 1. Let the classes, wherever practicable, be composed of 
not more than twenty persons, and let the leader report at each 
Quarterly Conference the condition of his class, as follows: 

1. Number of members in his class. 

2. Number of probationers. 

3. Average attendance. 

4. Number habitually absent. 

5. Number of class meetings held. 

6. Number who contribute to the support of the church. 

7. Number of visits made. 

8. Number of heads of families in the class, and how many 
of them observe family worship. 

7 



9S Manual for Church Officers. 

9. Number of church papers taken by class members. 

10. Miscellaneous matters. 

§ 2. Let each leader be careful to inquire how every member 
of his class prospers; not only how each person outwardly 
observes the rules, but how T he grows in the knowledge and 
love of God. 

§ 3. Let the leaders converse with their pastors frequently 
and freely. 

TT 52. In order to render our class meetings interesting and 
profitable let the preacher in charge, 1. Remove improper 
leaders. 2. See that all the leaders be of sound judgment and 
truly devoted to God. 

if 53. In the arrangement of class meetings two or more 
classes may meet together, and be conducted according to 
such plan as shall be agreed upon by the leaders in concurrence 
with the preacher in charge. 

IT 54. Let care be observed that they do not fall into formal- 
ity through the use of a uniform method. Let speaking be 
voluntary or the exercises conversational, the leader taking 
such measures as may best assist in making the services fresh, 
spiritual, and of permanent religions profit. . 

% oo. Let the leaders be directed to sncli a course of reading 
and study as shall best qualify them for their work; especially 
let such books be recommended as will tend to increase their 
knowledge of the Scriptures and make them familiar with 
those passages best adapted to Christian edification. When- 
ever practicable let the preachers examine the leaders in the 
studies recommended. — Discipline. 

CLASS LEADERS. 

" The design of the organization of classes and the 
appointment of leaders is to establish a system of 
pastoral oversight that shall effectively reach every 
member of the church." 

So far as human agencies are concerned, next to the 
faithful and effective preaching of the Gospel, Meth- 
odism owes its success to the class meeting. This lay* 



Class Leaders. 99 

pastoral supervision and oversight alone rendered per- 
manent the work of the itinerant on his „, 

Class meeting 

four or six weeks' circuit. No other class in early Metn- 
of adherents needed pastoral sympathy and odlsm ' 
admonition more than the converts of the first fifty 
years of American Methodism. That Church afforded 
them the best method of spiritual culture yet devised 
for the keeping and training of converts. Inspiring 
was the response of the mass of the membership to 
this means of grace. The strong and influential men 
and women of Methodism were trained in the early 
class meetings. Our distinctive type of piety and relig- 
ious experience was developed and fixed in the class 
meeting. 

The need of lay pastoral oversight in the greatly in- 
creased number of our churches, families, present need 
and members is more urgent to-day than for tDeir work * 
when Asbury and Lee laid the foundations of our work 
in America. It is true that in a large portion of our 
Church the circuit preacher has given way to the settled 
pastor ; the infrequent visits of the itinerant in charge 
to the pastor dwelling among the people to whom he 
preaches; the former known to the majority of the 
church only as the presiding elder is now, the latter 
known to every member of the congregation and 
child in the Sunday school ; the one preaching daily 
and rarely twice successively in the same place, the 
other giving his whole time to the need and wwk of 
a single congregation. Yet the pastor will never be 
able to do all the work required for " such pastoral 
oversight as shall effectively reach every member of 
the church," because of our increasing memberships. 
Where we have scores we can and ought to have 



100 Manual for Church Officers. 

hundreds in all our communities and cities. Our 
Sunday schools can be so organized that we in con- 
junction with other Protestant Churches, excluding 
the Roman Catholic population, can so reach the 
children of the community that those not in our 
schools shall he the rare exceptions. Protestantism, 
through its Sunday schools, properly organized and 
directed, can reach the great mass of the children of 
the community. Through its young people's societies 
it can hold the great mass of those thus reached. In 
this work Methodism must lead. With this increase 
of members conies the increased need for that personal 
knowledge and sympathy which only pastoral over- 
sight can supply. People do not desire so much to 
know abstract truth, even religious truth, that they 
may know what to believe, what rule to obey, what 
work to accomplish, as to know truth incarnated in a 
life, and that life personal, loving, and helpful. If the 
preacher's message be ever so true, and have no help 
in it for men, they will not hear it. If it be the most 
powerful and conclusive presentation of the facts of 
human life and destiny, if there be no personal sym- 
pathy in it which reaches the hearts of men, it will 
never win them. Men are won to Christ not by 
learning, or eloquence, or wit, but by the love of 
Christ constraining them through his word, its minis- 
ters, and his followers. The present answer to the 
present pressing needs of men is the salvation which 
they seek. The increasing demand from every 
quarter is for loving, sympathetic, faithful pastoral 
work. The rich will never be brought into any help- 
ful relation to the work of the Church, nor the work- 
ingmen into fellowship with the Gospel or the Church 



Class Leaders. 101 

founded to proclaim it, except by the most faithful 
and diligent pastoral care. 

This cannot be done alone by the pastor of the 
church. Physical limitations forbid. Not the num- 
bers only, the increased desire for the truth of the 
Gospel, the life of the kingdom of God, Work the pas _ 
has wonderfully increased the social life tor cannot per- 
of the Church. This means an im- 
mense increase in the number of agencies employed 
and the demands made upon the pastor's time. Not 
simply the number of societies and committees which 
he is expected to meet, but the care for the objects 
they attempt to accomplish, and the preparation for 
his part in them and their oversight, take nearly 
all the pastor's evenings and a good share of his work- 
ing hours, besides all his work as a preacher. He can- 
not do more ; but more must be clone. It seems as 
if the future progress and permanent growth of 
Methodism depend very much upon a revived and 
efficient system of lay pastoral supervision. How 
shall this be accomplished ? Not as in the past. The 
Sunday school and Ep worth League forbid that. It 
cannot be again the class meeting and the lay pastoral 
supervision ; it must be the lay supervision and then 
the class meeting. This was Wesley's original design. 

How shall we accomplish this reform of our class 
meeting system % By our choice of leaders. This is 
the pastor's prerogative. 

He should choose his assistants in the work of the 
pastorate. These should be men of to-day, Kind of leaders 
not yesterday, those knowing how men demanded - 
and women in active life to-day resist the devil and 
submit themselves to the mighty God. They must 



102 Manual for Church Officers. 

be men of large and deep sympathy with all suffer- 
ing and sin-stricken souls. No amount of upright- 
ness and conscientiousness joined to a fault-finding 
and censorious spirit will make a good class leader. 
He must have a pastor's love for them, a care to know 
their life, to feel their sorrows, and to ease their 
burdens. The genuine piety which commends them 
and their office must be such as shall be able to deal 
practically and helpfully with the difficulties of human 
life. Spiritual insight and soundness of judgment 
are requisites, self-denial and consistent example are 
essentials. This work can be done only as it is 
systematical!)' arranged and planned. In many cases 
the class will have to be arranged by streets and in 
such relation to the residences of the leader that he, 
perhaps an active business man, may be able also to 
attend to this work. The class leader thus equipped 
and trained in a daily increasing knowledge of God, 
his word, and human life is the permanent pastor of 
Methodism. 

Such a man, abiding in close and helpful fellowship 
with the life of men and women, and the changing cir- 
cumstances of families, has an influence and power to 
guide, to persuade, to comfort, and to bless that can 
seldom come through other forms of Christian service. 

The second purpose of the class organization is the 
meeting for social religious worship as a 

Class meetings. ° l 

means ot grace. I he subpastor may be, 
but is not necessarily, the leader of the class meeting. 
The religious service where each one or most of 
those present bear testimony to a personal assurance 
of salvation, a victory over temptation and sin, and a 
joyous communion with our triumphant Lord will 



Class Leaders. 103 

always attract men and women. The sin which these 
testify as overcome is universal, abounding. The 
grace which gives victory may reach as far as sin lias 
done, and is much more abounding. As long as 
men and women have hearts and consciences they 
will be drawn to such religious services. The rise of 
the Society of Christian Endeavor, theEp worth League, 
and the Young People's Movement, which is but the 
class meeting revived, proves the universal and perma- 
nent interest of Christian experience and Christian tes- 
timony. Under whatever modifications necessary, we 
never needed the class meeting more— that is, some 
means by which every member of the Church may be 
reached in the recital of his Christian experience and 
th'e expression of his Christian testimony — than now. 
The prejudice against this form of religious worship 
has largely died out. All evangelical Churches rec- 
ognize the fact that it is the most practical, helpful, 
and beneficial social means of grace in the Church for 
the upbuilding of believers and the training of those 
recently converted. 

There are some essentials for a successful class 
meeting. It should be praiseful. The Essenttais- 
leader may not be able to sing, but some praiseful. 
one should be always present who can. The class meet- 
ing which does not bring us into an atmosphere of 
worship and in accord with the life of heaven is a 
failure. It must always emphasize the fact that 

"One army of the living God, to his command we bow: 

Part of the host have crossed the flood, and part are crossing now." 

The class meeting that does not make us realize 
that heaven is not onlv nearer to us in time, but that 



104 Manual for Church Officers. 

we are nearer to it in spirit, does not accomplish its 
purpose. The singing will be sympathetic with all 
trial, suffering, sorrow, and repentant sin, but there 
will also always be in it the triumphant shout of 
those who overcome, the victor's song, the joy of the 
more abundant life. The prayers will be direct, defi- 
nite, and for present needs, and full of the faith that 
brings the triumph nigh. 

The testimonies will be not only the utterance of 
Testimonies the common hope and love, but the rela- 
universai. ^ion f individual experience of trial, 
temptation, and the joys of "walking in newness of 
life" and working with God. One great element of 
power of the old class meeting and of the present 
young people's movement is that this service is uni- 
versal ; all are invited, expected, to take some part in 
it. The class meeting is not specially for meditation ; 
but few services more often arouse to needed and 
thorough self-examination. This gives that note of 
reality to the whole service whose absence 

Note of reality. . . « u ,. , , , . , , . 

is so painfully felt where there is Jacking 
the common touch of common grace to common need. 
This indeed gives communion. 

But the class meeting is more than a fellowship 
meeting. Led by a w r ise pastor, or layman, or woman 
of experience, it is unsurpassed as a meeting for prac- 
tical religious instruction. This used to be done 
Leader's re- almost altogether by direct personal re- 
sponse, sponse. This, when fittingly done, not 
in general terms or indiscriminately, is of great help. 
Often a wise leader will reserve all response until all 
have spoken, and then note the phases of experience 
or Christian life which call for admonition or direc- 



Class Leaders. 105 

tion. Perhaps few exercises of the class are more 
helpful than the practical and devotional study of 
appropriate chapters or books of the Holy Scrip- 
tures. Under wise and competent leadership there is 
no better means of religious instruction known to the 
Christian Church than this study in an atmosphere of 
praise, of consecration, and of victory. The 
dangers of the class meeting have been 
shown in the one hundred and fifty years of its history. 

1. Lack of prayer. Only a prayerful life can be 
a spiritual life. God's Spirit is given only in answer 
to prayer. Only God's Spirit can illuminate the con- 
science, direct the life, and give a new and fresh ex- 
perience of the things of God. 

2. Lack of thought. Thought given to the things 
of God ; the promises of God, the experience of the 
soul. The thinking on the things commended in Phil. 
iv, 8, is needed. 

3. Lack of rigid honesty ivith God and with our 
own souls. Transparent sincerity in our expressions 
of the inward life. Not that we can or ought to ex- 
press all we feel, but let what we do say be a true 
transcript of what is recorded in our hearts. The 
things which kill the class meeting are old testimo- 
nies, old responses, the same endless monotony which 
would drive a man spiritually alive to despair. 

The freshness of a vital Christian experience of 
daily inward renewing, the heart-to-heart touch with 
the great tragic facts of our life, the daily seeking for 
the larger, purer, more blessed knowledge of God — 
these make the class meeting a means of perennial 
inspiration and help. 



CHAPTEK VI. 

STEWARDS. 

" Provide things honest in the sight of all men."— Rom. xii, 17. 
■* Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as 
God hath prospered him."— 1 Cor. xvi, 2. 

STEWARDS. 

1" 268. There shall be not less than three nor more than 
thirteen stewards in each circuit or station, one of whom shall, 
after each annual election, be appointed by the Quarterly Con- 
ference a recording steward, and one a district steward. 
But when two or more charges are united the stewards shall 
hold office till the first Quarterly Conference shall elect a 
new board. 

IF 269. Let the stewards be persons of solid piety, who both 
know and love Methodist doctrine and discipline, and who 
are of good natural and acquired abilities to transact the tem- 
poral business of the church. 

^ 270. The pastor shall have the right to nominate the 
stewards, but the Quarterly Conference shall confirm or reject 
such nomination. The stewards elected at the fourth Quar- 
terly Conference shall enter upon the discharge of their duties 
on the adjournment of the next Annual Conference, and shall 
hold office for one year, or until their successors are elected. 

^ 271. The duties of stewards are : To take an exact account 
of all the money or other resources received for the support of 
the ministers in the charge, and to apply the same as the 
Discipline directs ; to make an accurate return of every expen- 
diture of money, whether for the ministers or the poor mem- 
bers of the church; to seek the needy and distressed in order 
to relieve and comfort them; to inform the ministers of any 
sick or disorderly persons; to tell the ministers what they 



Stewards. 1<>7 

think wrong in them; to attend the quarterly meetings of the 
charge, and the leaders and stewards' meetings; to give ad- 
vice, if asked, in planning the circuit; to attend committees 
for the application of money to churches; to give counsel in 
matters of arbitration; to provide the elements for the Lord's 
Supper; to write circular letters to the societies in the circuit, 
exhorting them to greater liberality, if need be; and also to let 
them know, when occasion requires, the state of the temporal 
concerns of the charge. 

IF 272. The duties of the district stewards are: To attend 
the annual district stewards' meeting when called by the 
presiding elder, and to perform the duties specified in If 282. 

"7 273. Stewards are accountable for the faithful perform- 
ance of their duties to the Quarterly Conference of the circuit 
or station, which shall have power to dismiss or change them 
at pleasure. 

STEWARDS AND THE SUPPORT OF MINISTERS. 

T 274. The more effectually to raise the amount necessary to 
meet the estimates made for the support of effective ministers, 
let the stewards at the beginniug of the year estimate the 
amount needed monthly. Then ascertain from each member 
of the church, and, as far as practicable, from each attendant 
of the congregation, what each will give as his monthly con- 
tribution. 

IT 275. Let these sums be entered by the recording steward 
in a book which he shall keep as treasurer of the board of 
stewards. If the total amount of these sums does not equal 
the amount needed monthly, then let the stewards apportion 
the deficiency among all such as are willing, voluntarily, to 
assume such deficiency, setting down to each person, with his 
consent, the additional amount which they think he ought 
monthly to pay. 

IF 276. Let the stewards then adopt and carry out a plan by 
wmich every one, except such as prefer to make weekly contri- 
butions through their class leaders, shall have the opportu- 
nity of regularly contributing each month, or oftener. not 
grudgingly nor of necessity, the sum which has been pledged 
by him. Let these contributions be paid over regularly to the 



108 Manual foe Church Officers. 

recording steward or class leader, and be brought up by him 
to the leaders and stewards' meeting or Quarterly Confer- 
ence, as the case may be; and let the stewards report to the first 
Quarterly Conference of each year the details of the financial 
plan. Also, to each subsequent Quarterly Conference whether 
the plan, together with the further directions contained in this 
chapter, have been faithfully carried out. The recording steward 
shall keep an individual account of all these pledges and con- 
tributions, and shall pay over the moneys collected, under the 
direction of the stewards, to the ministers authorized to receive 
them. 

SUPPORT OF PRESIDING ELDERS. 

1" 282. There shall be annually, in every district, a meeting 
composed of one steward from each charge, to be selected by 
the Quarterly Conference, whose duty it shall be, with the ad- 
vice of the presiding elder, who shall preside in such meet- 
ing, to make an estimate of the amount necessary to furnish a 
comfortable support to the presiding elder, and to apportion 
the same, including house rent and traveling expenses, and 
also the claim of the bishop apportioned to the district by the 
Annual Conference, among the different charges in the dis- 
trict, according to their several ability; and in all cases the 
presiding elder shall share with the pastors in his district in 
proportion to what they have respectively received. But if 
there be a surplus of money raised for the support of the pas- 
tors in one or more of the charges in his district he shall 
receive such surplus, provided he do not receive more than his 
allowance. The minutes of the district stewards' meeting 
shall be kept by a secretary chosen for the purpose, who 
shall also record the same in a book of which the presiding 
elder shall be custodian. — Discipline. 

To the above enumerated duties and responsibilities 
mnst be added all those which belong in common to 
the members of the Quarterly Conference, and for the 
district steward those of the District Conference and 
district stewards' convention. These are set forth in 
Chapters IX and X of this Part. 



Stewards. 109 

The stewards are nominated by the preacher in 
charge and elected, which implies the Mode of eiec- 
power to reject a nomination, by the Quar- tion - 
terly Conference. The result is practically a demo- 
cratic choice, as few pastors would keep out of the 
board a man desired by the church to serve in this 
office. On the other hand, few Quarterly Conferences 
would confirm the nomination, by election, of a person 
generally obnoxious to the church. In the days of 
more frequent change of pastors the stability of the 
Quarterly Conference was quite essential to any regu- 
lar administration of the affairs of the* church. The 
mode of electing stewards is designed to this end. It 
is so evident that the abuse of the power of the pastor 
for personal ends would react upon himself and injure 
the church that instances are rare or unknown. 

"Let the stewards be persons of solid piety, who 
both know and love Methodist doctrine and discipline, 
and who are of good natural and acquired abilities to 
transact the temporal business of the church." We 
shall go far to find a better definition of the qualifica- 
tions for a steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The stewards are to be men of good judgment, 
men who shall represent the common 

.. -, ,. r, ,-, t , -, Various duties. 

opinion and sentiment ot the church and 
congregation. They are to be men of such piety and 
w 7 eight of character as shall make them best fitted 
" to tell the preachers what they think wrong in 
them '• in such way as to benefit and help them. 
They are the chosen counselors of the pastor ; they 
are to be present at all leaders and stewards' meet- 
ings and sessions of the official board and of the Quar- 
terly Conference, so as to be familiar with all the 



110 Manual for Church Officers. 

business of the clinrch. They are the official advisers 
of the pastor in all his administration. 

The care of the poor is specially intrusted to them. 
As they advise the pastor concerning his work, so 
they are to inform him of any that are sick or walk 
disorderly or specially need his attention. Thirteen 
persons will hear of such things as concern the whole 
membership more readily and perfectly than oue, 
even if he is the pastor. 

All these are duties which pertain to the office of a 
Financial steward, yet their main charge is a iinan- 
cnarge. cial one. The entire charge of the cur- 

rent finances of the church is theirs. If these are 
well managed, and so add ro the legitimate influence 
of the church, they should have the credit. If ill 
managed and a reproach to the cause of Christ in the 
community, the remedy is alone with them. If the 
intent and provisions of the Discipline be carried 
out there need never be a deficiency in the current 
finances of Methodism, extraordinary emergencies 
excepted. 

The first duty of the stewards is to estimate the 
Estimate of amount needed for the salary of the pas- 
saiary, etc. tor and the current expenses of the 
church. This estimate is to be not only on a yearly, 
but on a monthly, basis. This should be carefully at- 
tended to, and the estimate made not only on the 
basis of what is needed, but with the fixed determina- 
tion to raise and pay what is necessary for a comfort- 
able support of the pastor and the current expenses 
of the church, such as lights, fuel, insurance, and the 
salary of the sexton, organist, etc., where such current 
expenses are not provided for by the trustees. No man 



Stewards. Ill 

would expect to hire a day laborer and pay hi in less 
than he requires for a bare subsistence. If a charge 
requires a pastor to live better than a day laborer, to 
dress so as to attend weddings and funerals, and offici- 
ate at the services of the church, and so to furnish lira 
mind as well as his body, it must expect to meet the 
cost of the service. We are a Protestant Church. 
We profoundly believe in a married clergy. If we 
have pastors with families their work must yield 
them a comfortable support. In all but mission 
charges the congregation and community expect to 
do this. In almost any American community they 
will do it, and do it gladly, if there is an exercise of 
anything like ordinary business foresight and pru- 
dence, and if the official members set the example 
of giving of their ability as the Lord hath prospered 
them. 

But this will never be realized by passing resolu- 
tions or simply adopting a financial plan. Securinff the 
It requires earnest effort, prompt, persist- pledges of the 
ent, and systematic, to comply with the con ^ reffaion * 
provision of the Discipline to ascertain what each 
member of the church and congregation will give as 
his monthly (better weekly) contribution toward the 
finances of the church. This means that the stewards' 
work is not done, nor can it be interrupted without 
serious injury, until they have seen and received the 
pledge or subscription of the last member of the 
church and congregation able to pay anything for the 
support of the Gospel in that community. If the 
pastor is unpaid because this work is undone, the 
moral obligation to pay the debt is upon the stewards 
who have failed in their duty, and in that work which 



112 Manual for Church Officers. 

they were elected to perform. Nor can this work, 
which should be done at least at the very beginning 
of the year, be put off until the second or last quarter 
of the year. Just as well put off sowing until the 
harvest time and then expect a crop. Our people are 
manj T of them poor ; they cannot give out of the sav- 
ings of a month or two what for their own and the 
church's sake they should give out of the savings of 
the year. Xot until the stewards have promptly and 
efficiently performed their work have they any right 
to lay the blame of any deficiency upon the poverty 
or illiberality of the church. Right here has been 
the weakness of our Methodist finance. The stew- 
ards have of necessity been busy men or women, 
often the leading business men of the communities. 
Their time is money to them in their own affairs. 
They have put off this work of obtaining personal 
pledges or subscriptions, or, as in some cases, never 
done it at all ; and then, after repeated warnings from 
the presiding elder, and broken promises of service 
to be rendered, thev wonder if at the end of the vear 
they have to pay much more than their proportion — or 
let the record of the church be dishonored, with a poor 
prospect for the next appointment. This is an axiom 
of the steward's work : he owes to the church and 
pastor prompt and efficient service, and until this 
work is done, and done in time, the expenditures of 
the church are his personal obligations. His work 
being done when and as it should be done, then, and 
not before, this financial responsibility ceases. The 
financial responsibility rests solely upon the stewards 
until their work is done. 

The stewards have work beyond securing pledges 



Stewards. 113 

and subscriptions; they are to see to the collection 

of the amounts pledged. This work, like n .. .. n 

l o 7 collection 

the other, will need to be done in its time, of amounts 
and will require personal effort and direc- pe ge ' 
tion. If done regularly, with tact and judgment, 
it may be done easily. This implies the keeping of 
accurate accounts by the church treasurer, and the 
rendering of frequent printed, typewritten, or written 
reports to be given to all contributors. Only by let- 
ting people see, not hear, how their money is spent 
will they be interested in paying promptly and sus- 
taining a Christian business reputation. All these 
things, if properly organized and systematically done, 
can be accomplished with an ease and small expendi- 
ture of time and effort amazing to brethren who have 
followed the shiftless, go-as-you-please method, or 
lack of method, which prevails in so many charges. 
These cost the Methodist ministers tens of thousands 
of dollars yearly, and .Methodist churches a loss of 
influence and opportunities which can never be esti- 
mated. 

Let us sketch a plan which, though it may not be 
perfect, is in harmony with the intent and provi- 
sions of the Discipline, and has the fur- 

, „ . . Financial plan. 

ther merit ot being practicable, as tested 

in the actual experience of many churches, large and 

small. 

In the month before the Annual Conference session 
let there be held at the church a Church Day. It 
should be a gathering; home of all the fami- 

_ . i , ^111 i A Church Day. 

lies and members ox the church and con- 
preo-ation. Letters should be obtained and read from 
those who are awav. Let it be to our church life what 



114 Manual for Church Officers. 

the New England Thanksgiving Day is to the family 
life of the people of that descent. There would he 
no objection to a literary and musical program and a 
breaking of bread in common. There should be pre* 
sented to the membership reports of all the church 
work done during the year, pastoral evangel it- tic, 
teaching and training, benevolent and financial. 
There should be presented the needs of the church 
for the year to come — a sort of church budget. Then 
each person present should be furnished with a per- 
sonal pledge for weekly or monthly contributions. 
Those not present should be seen as sr»on as possible, 
so that, at the first meeting of the official board or 
Quarterly Conference for the new Conference year, 
the officers of the church should be able to state the 
full financial resources of the church, and with these 
in view make the estimates for the current year. 

These pledges should be given into the custody of 
an officer of the hoard known as the financial secre- 
Finaneiai see- tary. lie should enter these names and 
retary. amounts in a book ruled with a column 

for each Sunday in the year. Envelopes should be 
furnished to each subscriber, so that each week the 
amount subscribed may be paid. The envelopes 
should be numbered with a number the same as that 
opposite the name of the subscriber on the financial 
secretary's book. When the envelopes are opened the 
amount written on the outside is carefully compared 
with the amount within, and any discrepancy at once 
noted on the envelope. These envelopes should be 
kept by the financial secretary, as they are his receipts 
or vouchers, and his accounts must balance with the 
amounts they purport to contain. 



Stewards. 115 

The moneys so credited and accounted for should 
be paid over by him to the church treas- 
nrer, and by him paid out only upon an 
order authorized by vote of the board ; or the board 
may fix times of payment for all salaries, as pastor, 
se,xton, organist, etc., at the beginning of the year. 
The treasurer should take receipts for all moneys 
paid out, and such receipts should be his vouchers 
in making his accounts balance with those of the 
financial secretary. 

Once a month there should be sent to each contrib- 
utor a financial statement of account, show- Financial 
ing how much was pledged, how much has statement, 
been paid, and whether at the date the contributor's 
account has been overpaid, balances, or is in arrears. 
With this should be sent the monthly statement of 
receipts and expenditures of the church, and the bal- 
ance then due, if any. Where thought best these 
reports may be made quarterly, but the monthly 
report, even with the smallest congregations, is both 
preferable and profitable. 

A committee should be appointed who should audit 
the accounts of the treasurer and financial committee of 
secretary once a year and report to the audit - 
Quarterly Conference. If they find the accounts cor- 
rect and the work well done they should by resolu- 
tions express their appreciation of such conscientious 
and unremunerated toil. These resolutions by vote 
should go upon the records of the Quarterly Confer- 
ence. The church honors itself in showing proper 
appreciation of the work of these officers. 

This plan thoroughly worked and undertaken with 
good will would put an end to deficiencies in pastoral 



116 Manual for Church Officers. 

support in Methodism. It would also put an end 

Results of the to officers of the Church going about 
thorough work- " begging" for the benefit of the Cliurch. 
lngo t isp an, rjv^ Qjjyj^ij confers immense material ben- 
efits upon the community. For every dollar given to 
the Church the Church of our Lord Jesus makes more 
than tenfold return. It never begs for its support. 
Who shall measure its influence for good upon the 
intellectual, moral, and social life of the community ? 
All these are but incidental to its work of awakening 
and training the spiritual life of men, setting the door 
of an open heaven before each individual soul, while 
leading tliem to be partakers of everlasting life. The 
Church does not beg of its adherents, least of all of 
ungodly men, for its means and right to exist in the 
community. It comes to men and offers royal bounty 
to those who of their riches or their poverty contrib- 
ute to maintain its ministrations and make its life, 
teachings, and influence an unceasing benediction to 
the community. 



C PI AFTER VII. 

TRUSTEES. 

I. TRUSTEES — THEIR APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES. 

IF 291. Each board of trustees of our church property shall 
eousist of not less than three nor more than nine persons, 
each of whom shall be not less than twenty-one years of age, 
two thirds of whom shall be members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 

1 292. In all eases where the law of the State or Territory 
requires a specified mode of election that mode shall be ob- 
served. 

H 293. Where no specific requirement is made the trustees 
shall be elected annually by the fourth Quarterly Conference 
of the charge, upon the nomination of the pastor or the pre- 
siding elder of the district. In case of failure to elect at the 
proper time a subsequent Quarterly Conference may elect; and 
all the trustees shall hold their office until (heir successors are 
elected. 

IF 294. All the foregoing provisions shall apply both to the 
creation of new boards and to the filling of vacancies, whether 
for houses of worship or dwellings for the preachers. 

1 295. If the said trustees, or any of them, have advanced any 
sum or sums of money, or are responsible for any sum or sums 
of money, on account of the said premises, and they, the said 
trustees, are obliged to pay the said sums of money, they, or 
a majority of them, shall be authorized to raise the said 
sum or sums of money by a mortgage on the said premises, 
or by selling the said premises after notice given to the pastor 
or minister who has the oversight of the congregation attend- 
ing divine service on the said premises, if the money due be 
not paid to the said trustees, or their successors, within one 



118 Makual for Church Officers. 

year after such notice given; and if snch sale take place the 
said trustees, or their successors, after paying the debt and other 
expenses which are due from the money arising from such sale, 
shall pay the balance, if not needed and applied for the pur- 
chase or improvement of other property for the use of the 
church, to the Annual Conference within whose bounds such 
property is located; and in case of the reorganization of 
the said society, and the erection of a new church building 
within five years after such transfer of funds, then the said 
Annual Conference shall repay to said new corporation the 
moneys which it had received from the church or society as 
above mentioned. 

1 296. No person who is a trustee shall be ejected while he 
is in joint security f- r money unless such relief be given him 
as is demanded, or the creditor will accept, provided he remain 
a member of our Church. 

*if 297. Charters obtained for our church property shall 
conform in the manner of creating- and filling boards of trus- 
tees to the provisions of this chapter. 

If 298. The board or boards of trustees in any charge shall 
hold all our church property, using so much of the proceeds 
as may be needful to pay debts or to make repairs, and shall 
be amenable to the Quarterly Conference, to which they shall 
make an annual report, at the fourth Quarterly Conference, 
embracing the following items: 1. Number of churches and 
parsonages. 2. Their probable value. 3. Title by which 
held. 4. Income. 5. Expenditures. 6. Debts, and how 
contracted. 7. Insurance. 8. Amount raised during the year 
for building or improving churches or parsonages. 

II. FORM FOR CONVEYANCE OF CHURCH PROPERTY. 

T 299. Before any real estate is purchased for either church, 
parsonage, or other purpose, let the society, in all States and 
Territories where the statutes will permit, first incorporate. 
Let the articles of incorporation provide that the society shall 
be subject to the provision of the Discipline and the usage 
and ministerial appointments of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in the United States of America, as from time to time 



Trustees. 119 

authorized and declared by the General Conference of said 
Church, and the Annual Conference within whose bounds 
such corporation is situated, and that the secular affairs of 
such corporation shall be managed and controlled by a board of 
trustees elected and organized according to the provision of 
said Discipline. Let such article further provide that such 
corporation shall have power to acquire, hold, sell, and convey 
property, both real and personal. When this is done let all 
property acquired be deeded directly to the society in its cor- 
porate name. 

*7 300. In States where church property is required to be 
held by trustees let all detds under which the church ac- 
quires property, whether designed for church or parsonage 
purpose-, be made to the trustees, naming them and their suc- 
cessors in oilice, followed by these words: 4k In trust for the 
use and benefit of the ministry and membership of the Meijiod- 
i-t Episcopal Church in the United States of America, subject 
to the Discipline, usage, and ministerial appointment of said 
Church, as from time to time authorized and declared, and if 
sold the proceeds shall be disposed of and used in accordance 
with the provisions of said Discipline."* 

*T 301. In all other parts of such conveyances, as well as in 
their attestation, acknowledgment, and placing them upon the 
record, let a careful conformity be had to the laws, usages, and 
forms of the particular State or Territory in which the property 
may be situated, so as to secure the ownership of the premises 
in fee simple. 

*~. 802. In no case shall the trustees mortgage or encumber 
the real estate for the current expenses of the church. 

1 303. Whenever it shall become necessary for the payment 
of debts, or with a view to reinvestment, to make a sale of 
church property that may have been conveyed to trustees or 
cl lurch corporation for either of the foregoing purposes, said 
trustees or their successors may, upon application to the 
Quarterly Conference, obtain an order — a majority of all the 
members of such Quarterly Conference concurring, and the 
pastor and the presiding elder of the district consenting — for 

* Forms far incorporations, deeds, etc., can be obtained from the Board of 
Church Extension. 



120 Manual for Church Officers. 

the salp, with such limitations and restrictions as said Quarterly 
Conference may judge necessary; and said trustees, so author- 
ized, may sell and convey such property; provided, that in all 
cases the proceeds of the sale, after the payment of debts, if 
any, if not applied to the purchase or improvement of other 
property for the same uses, and deeded to the corporation in the 
same manner, shall be held by such corporation subject to the 
order of the Annual Conference within whose bounds such prop- 
erty is located, or to the trustees of the Conference Fund; and 
in all cases where church property is abandoned, or no longer 
used for the purpose originally designed, it {-hall be the duty 
of the trustees, if any remain, to sell such property and pay over 
the proceeds to the Annual Conference within whose bounds 
it is located; and where no such lawful trustees remain it 
shall be the duty of said Annual Conference to secure the cus- 
tody of such church property by such means as the laws of the 
State may afford, subject to be returned in the same manner 
and upon the same contingencies as named in 1" 295. 

T 304. Houses of worship and dwellings for the use of pas- 
tors may be removed from one place to another on the same 
conditions on which the same may be sold. 

III. BUILDING CHURCHES. 

*ft 305. Let all our churches be built plain and decent, and 
with free seats wherever practicable; but not more expensive 
than is absolutely unavoidable. 

IF 306. In order more effectually to prevent our people from 
contracting debts which they are not able to discharge, it 
shall be the duty of the Quarterly Conference of every charge 
where it is contemplated to build a house or houses of worship 
to secure the ground or lot on which such house or houses are 
to be built, according to our deed of settlement, which deed 
must be legally executed; and also said Quarterly Conference 
shall appoint a judicious committee of at least three members 
of our Church, who shall form an estimate of the amount 
necessary to build; and three fourths of the money, according 
to such estimate, shall be secured or subscribed before any 
such building shall be commenced. 



TRUSTEES. l"2l 

IT 307. In all cases where debts for building houses of wor- 
ship have been, or may he. incurred contrary to or in disregard 
of the above recommendation, our members and friends are 
requested to discountenance such a course by declining to give 
•pecuniary aid to all agents who shall travel abroad beyond their 
own circuits or districts for the collection of funds for the dis- 
charge of such, debts, except in such peculiar cases as may be 
approved by an Annual Conference, or such agents as may be 
appointed by their authority. 

f 308. In future we will admit no charter, deed, or convey- 
ance for any house of worship to be used by us, unless it be 
provided in such charter, deed, or conveyance that the trus- 
tees of said house shall at all times permit such ministers 
belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church as shall from 
time to time be duly authorized by the General Conference 
of our Church, or by the Annual Conferences, to preach and 
expound therein God's holy word, and to execute the Disci- 
pline of the Church, and to administer the sacraments therein, 
according to the true meaning and purport of our deed of 
settlement. 

IV. BUILDING AND RENTING PARSONAGES. 

^T 309. It is recommended by the General Conference that our 
ministers advise our friends in general to purchase a lot of 
ground in each charge, and to build a parsonage thereon, and 
to furnish it with at least heavy furniture. 

IT 310. The General Conference recommends to all the 
charges, in cases where they are not able to comply with the 
above request, to rent a house for the married pastor and his 
family, when such are stationed upon the charges respectively, 
and that the Annual Conferences do assist to make up the 
rents of such houses as far as they can, when the charge can- 
not do it. 

1 311. The stewards in each charge shall be a standing com- 
mittee, where no trustees are constituted for that purpose, to 
provide houses for the families of our married ministers, or to 
assist the ministers to obtain houses for themselves when they 
are appointed to labor among them. 



122 Manual for Church Officers. 

IF 312. It shall be the duty of the presiding elders and min- 
isters to use their influence to carry the above rules respecting 
building and renting houses for the accommodation of ministers 
and their families into eilect. In order to this each Quarterly 
Conference shall appoint a committee, unless other measures 
have been adopted, which, with the advice and aid of the 
ministers and presiding elders, shall devise such means as may 
seem fit to raise moneys for that purpose. And it is recom- 
mended to the Annual Conferences to make a special inquiry 
of their members respecting this part of their duty. — Discipline. 

TRUSTEES. 

The property of the church, like all estate, real and 
_ , .. ... personal, is under the control and protec- 

Relation of the f i r 

state to church tion of the State. The statutes of the 
State and the civil law prescribe the tenure 
and conditions of its use. The State has the power 
to prescribe the manner of election of trustees. In 
this country, where Church and State are distinct in 
their spheres of action, the State upholds the appli- 
cation of the rules of the denomination, or religions 
body, to their communicants or members, and to their 
property, where snch rules do not conflict with the 
laws of the State. The decision in the case of Landers 
vs. Frank Street Church, Rochester, N. Y. (97 K Y. 
Reports 119), by the Court of Appeals settles for New 
York, and, through the principles upon which the de- 
cision was rendered, for the United States, the right 
of the Church to enforce the provisions of its Disci- 
pline upon the pastor and churches of its communion. 
This settles what long puzzled our fathers, how to 
hold our church property for the use of an itinerant 
ministry. Tins decision makes it impossible by civil 
law for the trustees of church or parsonage property 



Trustees. 123 

to close the doors against a pastor legally appointed 
at the Annual Conference or in the interval of its ses- 
sions. 

Where the State through its law statutes does not 
prescribe the manner of electing trustees The call of 
they are to be chosen by the Quarterly election. 
Conference on the nomination of the preacher in 
charge or the presiding elder of the district. Where 
the statute does so enjoin due notice of the time of 
election and the qualifications of voters must be given 
in the public congregation. The call should be drawn 
and signed by the clerk of the board of trustees, un- 
less through death, or removal, or resignation there 
be a vacancy ; and when no clerk pro teinjjore is chosen 
the president or any three members may call a meet- 
ing of the society. The call should specify the trus- 
tees whose terms expire and for what time their suc- 
cessors are chosen. In New York the notice or call 
must be given fifteen days in advance and read on 
two successive Sundays in the public congregation. 
The voters include all regular attendants at divine 
service who contribute to its support, men and women 
who are at least twenty-one years of age. 

At the time for the election the chairman of the 
board of trustees — that is, the president, M ode of eiec- 
or in his absence the vice president, or in tion * 
case of their absence one of the board — calls the meet- 
ing to order. In the absence of president and vice presi- 
dent the meeting will elect a president ^n? tempore. If 
the secretary or clerk of the board is present he will 
act as secretary, or not, as the meeting shall choose. 

* These directions nre subject to the statutes of the several States. 
See Laios Relating to Religious Corporations^ Rev.Sandford Hunt,D.D. 



124 . Manual fok Church Officers. 

The meeting will choose a secretary, who shall keep 
its minut.s. The president should appoint tellers. 
The vote should be by ballot. In this meeting the 
pastor has no right as pastor, only a vote of a private 
member, if he so chooses, for each trustee. The vote 
should be declared by the tellers, and over their names 
given to the secretary for record. 

After the trustees are chosen they should immedi- 
ately organize by choosing their president or chair- 
man, vice president, secretary or cierk, and treasurer 
for the year. 

The duty of the board as thus organized is to 
hold the property for the use of the so- 

Duties. - 

ciety. This includes taking care that it 
lias legal and valid title to its property, and that this 
title is maintained intact. In all cases of 
doubt recourse should be had to the pre- 
siding elder, who by the Discipline is specially commis- 
sioned to look after the titles of church property. 
Upon his advice — and lie should certainly be consulted 
— legal counsel may be taken. This duty of the board 
includes the proper custody of all deeds and other 
papers of title and their record, as well as of all 
mortgages belonging to the church society and all 
discharges secured by them. Many boards of trustees 
often fail in providing a suitable place for such papers 
and for their proper record and care. 

The trustees are to see that the church property is 
protected from the encroachment of adjacent owners. 
Where a church or parsonage edifice (or buildings) 
care of build- is already in existence, unincumbered, the 
lngs * business of the trustees is first to see that 

it is kept in proper repair. This does not mean a re- 



Trustees. 125 

modeling of the edifice, but its proper protection from 
the elements, by the care of its foundations, roof, 
paint, etc. These things should be looked after 
promptly, and with the care that a landlord would 
take of property for a desirable tenant. 

The trustees are the custodians of the property for 
the church and the congregation, and are custody of the 
to see that it is used only for the purpose P l '°P erty - 
for which it was erected. All religious services and 
church assemblies are under the control of the pastor. 
He has the right to use the church for these purposes 
without interference from the trustees, provided these 
are such as pertain to, or are in harmony with, his office 
as pastor of the church and congregation. The 
trustees have no right to let the church building for 
purposes which would be offensive to the congrega- 
tion or out of hannonv with the religious services 
celebrated therein. 

In case the property is incumbered, if the trustees are 
holden the Discipline makes provision for 

. , ., V ,, ii i • r ^ H incumbered. 

their security. On the other hand, it the 
society be in debt, and have real property or bequests 
accruing, the trustees have no right to apply the pro- 
ceeds of the sale of the real estate, or the principal of 
the bequests, to the payment of the interest on the in- 
debtedness or the current expenses. They ought to 
originate or promote such movements for the pay- 
ment or funding of the indebtedness as should best se- 
cure the property without incumbrance to the church. 
In all cases they should see that the property is 
properly insured, cooperating with the 
Quarterly Conference and presiding elder 
to that end, and that all taxes are paid. In the case 



126 Manual for Church Officers. 

of sale or removal the Discipline provides that the 
sale be recommended by the Quarterly Conference, 
with the consent of the presiding elder, and such other 
authorization as the courts may prescribe ; when prac- 
ticable the consent of the society should be obtained. 
In case of purchase, or the taking of bequests upon con- 
ditions, the Quarterly Conference should be consulted. 
In the organization of a church society consult the Dis- 
cipline and the statutes of the State; and 
in rebuilding or the erection of a new edi- 
fice not only the consent of the Quarterly Conference, 
but of the church and congregation, should be obtained. 
The trustees should insist upon the application of busi- 
ness methods to the raising, care, and expenditure of 
moneys. Subscriptions should be properly drawn; 
they should be discounted for all amounts not worth 
their face. They should then be near enough to the 
estimated expenditures, so that the society will not be 
burdened with a heavy debt, except by its express ac- 
tion. 

In all cases the trustees have charge and care of 
current ex- the church property. This, unless other- 
penses. w ; ge p rov j c ] e( ] f or \yy action of the official 

board, throws upon them the purchase and payment 
of the fuel and lighting, and the services of the sex- 
ton. Tfie care of legacies and bequests comes upon 
them, but these should not be desired unless the prin- 
cipal as well as the income can be expended by the 
church in a definite term of years. Endowed church- 
es are to be avoided in Methodism ; the rare excep- 
tions only prove this rule. The trustees, as such, in a 
Methodist church have no farther charge of the 
church finances. It can be nothing less than a per- 



Trustees. 127 

version of their functions when they absorb the work 
of the stewards and the direction of the Per version of 
official board and the Quarterly Confer- -functions, 
ence. This always cripples the usefulness of the pas- 
tor and the interest and life of the church. The office 
and work of the trustees will always give weight to 
their opinion on financial matters in the official boards 
and Quarterly Conferences of our larger churches. 
More influence than that is forbidden by the best in- 
terest of the church and of religion in the com- 
munity. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE OFFICIAL BOARD— LEADERS AND STEWARDS' 

MEETING. 



IF 100. The pastor shall, as often as practicable, hold a meet- 
ing of all the leaders and stewards of the charge, to be denom- 
inated the Leaders and Stewards' Meeting, in order to inquire, 
1. Are there any sick? 2. Are there any requiring temporal 
relief? 3. Are there any who walk disorderly and will not be 
reproved? 4. Are there any who willfully neglect the means 
of grace? 5. Are any changes to be made in the classes? 
6. Are there any probationers to be recommended for admis- 
sion into full membership? 7. Are there any to be recom- 
mended for license to exhort or to preach? 8. What amount 
has been received for the support of the pastor or pastors? 
9. Is there any miscellaneous business? — Discipline. 

The Leaders and Stewards' Meeting was the me- 
dium of official action between the sessions of the 
Quarterly Conference. From it, by the development 
of our Sunday school and young people's work and 
the addition of the trustees, came the Official Board. 
In large churches, however, the latter has not sup- 
planted the former. In all cases involving character 
and admonition and discipline, the pastor may prefer 
the smaller body and those whose official relations 
make them peculiarly his counselors and assistants in 
matters of this kind. Therefore, with the increased 
growth of our churches, and with the development of 
our charitable work, this earliest of lay councils in the 



The Official Board. 129 

local church will resume its former importance, as 
giving its care especially to the spiritual life and 
needs of the membership and to the personal work of 
caring for the sick, the poor, and the needy. 

THE OFFICIAL BOARD. 

*TT 101. The Quarterly Conference of any charge may organ- 
ize, and continue during its pleasure, an Official Board, to be 
composed of all the members of the Quarterly Conference, in- 
cluding all the trustees, except such trustees and such Sunday 
school superintendents as are not members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. The Official Board may hold its meetings 
at such times as it may determine, and shall be presided over 
by the pastor, or, in his absence, by a chairman pro tempore, 
elected by the meeting. When so organized the Official 
Board may discharge the duties belonging to the Leaders and 
Stewards' Meeting, except the special duties pointed out in 
questions 3 to 8 inclusive, in IF 100 of the Discipline. It may 
also devise and carry into effect suitable plans for providing 
for the finances of the church, and discharge such other duties 
as the Quarterly Conference may from time to time commit to 
it, not otherwise provided for in the Discipline. The board 
shall keep a record of its proceedings, and send the same to 
the fourth Quarterly Conference for approval. — Discipline. 

The Official Board is the Quarterly Conference in 
permanent session for such special work as the latter 
may commit to it. Tt is the permanent council of 
the pastor. While its functions and control are in 
many directions less than that of the Quarterly Con- 
ference, the fact that it is composed of the same per- 
sons enables the action of the former body in a con- 
siderable degree to be forecast, and when necessary 
to be anticipated. This body is in permanent ses- 
sion ; for although in every properly organized 
charge the meetings will be held once a month, yet a 
9 



130 Manual for Church Officers. 

special meeting may be called at any time the pastor 
wishes advice or an emergency arises. This is the 
body with whom the pastor must be in harmony, and 
whose active cooperation is necessary to his success. 

A few words, then, on the functions of the work of 
this board. Let meetings be held even on the small- 
est charges or.ee a month. Suppose there do not 
appear to be any great necessity or urgent demand for 
a meeting ; not much has happened since the last ses- 
sion ; nevertheless the meeting ought to be held. 
First, because it is a good habit and ought not to be 
broken into. Second, no one can tell what business 
may need attention until the official brethren come 
together ; and third, the pastor ought to meet the 
Official Board once a month, if only to know and keep 
in touch with the brethren. The main business of 
an Official Board, all emergencies aside, is to plan the 
work of the church in time, and then see that its 
work and business are so carried on that the admin- 
istration of church affairs will be to its credit, and 
not bring it into disgrace. The pastor's work is 
wonderfully kept in hand by the reports to him and 
his to the brethren ; all financial interests of the 
church thus secure their proper care and provision, so 
that these demands are promptly met. Then the 
planning of the work for revival services, for collec- 
tions, or benevolences, or church improvements, must 
be done through the Official Board. So any needed 
control of the choir or Sunday school need not neces- 
sarily await the action of the Quarterly Conference ; 
its committees can, if they choose, report to the 
Official Board for advice or decision. The way a 
pastor works with his Official Board and secures 



The Official Board. 131 

their hearty and enthusiastic cooperation is a large 
element in the success of every year's work on every 
charge. The Official Board does not do away with 
the necessity of the Quarterly Conference. Its acts 
are subject to the revision of the latter body. Not 
a few of its functions cannot be delegated to the 
Official Board. All matters affecting change of pas- 
tors ought to come before the former body for deter- 
minate action. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. 

IT 95. The Quarterly Conference shall be composed of all the 
traveling and local preachers, exhorters, stewards, class lead- 
ers, and trustees of churches in the charge, the first super- 
intendents of our Sunday schools, and the presidents of Ep- 
worth League chapters; said trustees and superintendents 
being members of our Church, and approved by the Quarterly 
Conference. IT 97, §§ 3, 5. 

IF 96. The presiding elder shall preside in the Quarterly 
Conference; or he may appoint a traveling elder to preside; 
but in the absence of the presiding elder, and of the traveling 
elder so appointed, the preacher in charge shall preside. 

§ 1. The Quarterly Conference shall appoint a secretary, who 
shall take minutes of the proceedings thereof, and transmit 
them to the recording steward. 

1T 97. The regular business of the Quarterly Conference is : 

§ 1. To hear complaints, and to receive and try charges and 
appeals, as directed in 1TT 229-236, 265. 

§ 2. To take cognizance of all local preachers and exhorters 
in the circuit or station, as provided in TIT 192-200. 

§ 3. To receive the annual report of the trustees; to elect 
trustees where the laws of the State permit; and, at its discre- 
tion, to approve for membership in the Quarterly Conference 
trustees who are members of the church, but who were elected 
otherwise than by the Quarterly Conference. 

§ 4. To elect stewards for the circuit or station, and of these 
to elect one a district steward and one a recording steward. 

§ 5. To have oversight of all the Sunday schools within the 
bounds of the circuit or station, and to inquire into the con- 
dition of each; to confirm or reject Sunday school superin- 
tendents nominated by the Sunday school board; at its dis- 



The Quarterly Conference. 133 

cretion to approve for membership in the Quarterly Confer- 
ence superintendents who may be members of the church; and 
to remove any superintendent who may prove unworthy or in- 
efficient. 

§ 6. To have general oversight of the Ep worth League 
chapters and other organizations of young people; to confirm 
or reject presidents of the Ep worth League elected by the 
chapters; and to remove any president who may prove un- 
worthy or inefficient. 

§ 7. To observe carefully all the obligations laid by the Dis- 
cipline upon the Quarterly Conference in reference to the sup- 
port of the ministry and of our benevolent causes. 

§ 8. To appoint at the fourth Quarterly Conference commit- 
tees on (1) Missions, f f 353-358. (2) On Church Extension, 
nm 387, 388. (3) On Sunday Schools, HIT 330-332. (4) On Tracts, 
1 420. (5) On Temperance, IF 189. (6) On Education, IF 324. 
(7) On Freed men's Aid and Southern Education Society, 
IT 393, 394. (8) On Church Records, H 99. (9) On Parsonages 
and Furniture, f 312. (10) On Church Music, IF 57. (11) On 
Estimating the Pastors 1 Salaries, IT 283. (12) On Estimat- 
ing the amount necessary for Conference Claimants, 1" 284. 

IF 98. The order of business in the Quarterly Conference, 
after the roll of members has been called and a secretary ap- 
pointed, shall be to inquire: 

Note.— Questions, or items under questions, marked thus [-1-] are to be 
considered at the first Quarterly Conference ; those marked [-1, 2, 3-] at the 
first, second, and third Quarterly Conferences ; those marked [-4-] at the fourth 
Quarterly Conference ; all other questions aud items, at each Quarterly Con- 
ference. 

1. What trustees are approved as members of the Quarterly 
Conference? IT 97, § 3. 

2. Who are confirmed as Sunday school superintendents? 
IF 97, § 5. 

3. What superintendents are approved as members of the 
Quarterly Conference? *I 97, § 5. 

4. Who are confirmed as presidents of Epworth League 
chapters? IF 97, § 6. 

5. Are there any complaints? 

6. Are there any appeals? 



134 Manual foe Church Officers. 

7. [-1-] What is the complete record of ministerial support 
for the past year? 

1. Paid to pastor. 

2. Paid to assistant. 

3. Paid to presiding elder. 

4. Paid to Episcopal Fund. 

5. Paid to Conference claimants. 

8. Are there any reports? 

1. From the pastor. 1" 189, § 26. 

2. From the local preachers. IF 196. 

3. From the exhorters? IF 200. 

4. From the Sunday school superintendents. 

5. From the presidents of Epworth League chapters. 
IT 328. 

6. From the cla^s leaders. 1" 51. 

7. [-4-] From the trustees. IF 298. 

8. From committees. IF 97, § 8. 

9. [-1-] What amounts have been apportioned to this charge 
this year for the support of the ministry ? 

1. For pastor. 

2. For assistant. 

3. For presiding elder. 

4. For Episcopal Fund. 

5. For Conference claimants. 

6. For rent. 

7. For traveling and moving expenses. 

10. What is the financial plan adopted by the stewards ? 
IF 276. 

11. Have the directions of the Discipline for raising supplies 
for the support of the ministry been carried out ? ^i^ 274-27G. 

12. What amounts have been received this quarter for the 
support of the ministry, and how have they been applied ? 

Received : 

1. For pastors and presiding elder. 

2. For Episcopal Fund. 

3. For rent. 

4. For traveling and moving expenses. 

5. [-4-1 For Conference claimants. 



The Quarterly Conference. 135 

Applied : 

1. To pastor. 

2. To assistant. 

3. To presiding elder. 

4. To Episcopal Fund. 

5. To rent. 

6. To traveling and moving expenses. 

7. [-4-] To Conference claimants. 

13. [-1-] What amounts have been apportioned to this 
charge this year for benevolent causes ? 

1. For Missions. 

2. For Church Extension. 

3. For Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education Society. 

4. For Education. 

5. For Sunday School Union. 

6. For Tract Society. 

7. For other purposes. 

14. [-4-] What amounts have been asked and received for 
benevolent causes this year ? 

1. For Missions: a, from church and. congregation; 

&, from Sunday school. 

2. For Board of Church Extension. 

3. For Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education Society. 

4. For Education: a, Children's Fund; 5, other objects. 

5. For Sunday School Union. 
G. For Tract Society. 

7. For American Bible Society. 

8. For Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. 

9. For Woman's Home Missionary Society. 
10. For other purposes. 

15. Are the Sunday schools organized into missionary soci- 
eties ? 1 361. 

16. Have the rules respecting the instruction of children 
been observed? rtr 332-334. 

17. Who are licensed to preach , or recomir ended to the 
District Conference for license to preach ? *5 193. 

18. [-4-] Was the character of each local preacher and 
exhort er examined ? ^T 193, 



136 Mancal for Church Officers. 

19. [-4-] What local preachers and exhorters have had their 
licenses renewed, or have been recommended to the District 
Conference for renewal of license? IF 193. 

20. [-4-] What local preachers are recommended for orders ? 
IT 193. 

21. [-4-] What local preachers are recommended for the 
recognition of orders ? ^T 193, ^T 153, § 2. 

22. [-4-] What local preachers are recommended for recep- 
tion on trial in the Annual Conference ? IF 193. 

23. [-1, 2, 3-] Is any change desired in the board of stewards? 

24. [-4-] Who shall be stewards for the ensuing Conference 
year ? f f 268-270. 

25. [-4-] Who shall be the recording steward ? 1" 268. 

26. [-4-] Who shall be the district steward? I 268. 

27. [-4-] Who are the trustees of church and parsonage 
property ? IT 291-293. 

28. [-4-] What committees are appointed ? IT 97. 

29. [-4-] Have the General Rules been read this year ? 

30. [-4-] Has the pastor made a visiting list or plan of his 
charge, as required by the Discipline ? IT 189, § 28. 

31. Are the church records properly kept ? 1 99. 

32. Is the church and parsonage property insured ? 

33. When and where shall the next Quarterly Conference be 
held? 

34. Is there any other business ? 

IT 99. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Church 
Records to see that the records of membership, of the leaders 
and stewards' meeting, of the official board, of the Sunday 
school board, of the board of trustees, and of the Quarterly 
Conference are properly kept; and when any of these books 
are filled up, or are no longer in use, they shall be deposited 
with the recording steward for preservation. — Discipline, 

THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. 

The Quarterly Conference is the legislative, judicial, 
Functions of and executive bod\ r of the local church. 

the Quarterly m •. n «? • j.- • x- 

conference. lo it all omcers, societies, organizations, 
and committees report. All officers are amenable 



The Quarterly Conference. 137 

to it, and all members may appeal from a committee 
of trial to it for reversal of judgment ; while it is thus 
supreme in the sphere of the local church, all other ec- 
clesiastical bodies in Methodism derive their existence 
from it. The Annual Conference has been the great 
historic factor in the life of Methodism, but no man can 
be a member of an Annual Conference without being 
licensed or recommended for license by a Quarterly 
Conference or leaders and stewards' meeting com- 
posed of its members. The members of the Lay Elec- 
toral Conference, who choose the lay delegates to the 
General Conference, are all chosen by the Quarterly 
Conference. The lay element in the District Confer- 
ence is there by the vote of the Quarterly Conference. 
Without the previous action of the Quarterly Confer- 
ence there could be no District, Annual, Judicial, or 
General Conference. It is the great primordial cell 
in the Methodist economy. It is composed of all offi- 
cers of the church and representatives of all inter- 
ests identified with the work of the church. The pre- 
siding elder is its president, the pastor has there his 
place, his voice, and his vote. The traveling preach- 
ers residing on the charge are there, so are the local 
preachers and exhorters. All stewards, class leaders, 
and presidents of the Epworth League chapters are 
members, as are those first Sunday school superintend- 
ents and those members of the board of trustees who 
are members of the church. These officers who thus 
have membership may be men or women. In this 
Conference the whole church is represented. Coex- 
tensive with this representation is the responsibility. 
If any thing goes wrong in the church, from the pas- 
tor down, and it is not known, looked to, and sought 



138 Manual for Church Officers. 

to be remedied, the Quarterly Conference is to blame. 
It ought to know the details and the tendencies of the 
church life. It ought to control and guide the work 
of the church. It may be safely said that if the Quar- 
terly Conferences of Methodism were all they ought 
to be, and doing all they ought, the success ;md future 
prosperity of Methodism would be assured. We shall 
therefore take a little more space to indicate the func- 
tions and work of a successful Quarterly Conference. 
The first essential of a successful Quarterly Confer- 
ence is the attendance of its members. 

Attendance. m , . .. , . 

Men who hold orhcial position m the 
church who do not regularly attend, or send some 
sufficient excuse, are unworthy of their trust. Ordi- 
nary business is no such excuse ; the church might 
better hire some one to do this private business than 
to have her work suffer from neglect. Beginning as 

promptly as the members can be assembled, 

Business. 

after singing and prayer, the first business 
is to elect a secretary. A competent secretary who is 
a ready writer is a great help to the business of a 
Quarterly Conference. After the calling of the roll 
comes its perfecting through the confirmation of elec- 
tions made since the last session of the Quarterly Con- 
ference. We pass by all complaints and appeals or 
judicial proceedings, referring the reader to the Dis- 
cipline and to the works of Bishops Merrill and Har- 
ris.* Then come reports. First, the complete rec- 
ord of ministerial support for the past 

Pastor's report. l l A 

year; then the pastor reports his work and 
that of the church for the quarter. This report is for 

* Digest of Methodist Law, S. M. Merrill; Treatise on Ecclesiastical 
Law, Henry and Harris. 



The Quarterly Conference. 139 

record, and is the history of the church for the past 
few months. Nothing can be of less value than the 
mere skeleton statistics of the official blanks. On the 
other hand, no one wishes for the extempore medita- 
tions on the state of things in general which some- 
times flow off from the pastors pen. There can 
hardly be three months in any earnest pastors life 
and work which shall not yield some fitting materials 
for historic remembrance. The man who learns the 
art of lightly putting facts and experiences in the 
pastor's report has conferred a favor on the Church 
for all coming generations. What glimpses of hero- 
ism, suffering, and devotion, what inspiration to sacri- 
fice, to courage, and to high enthusiasm in the face of 
difficulties multiplied, may not these records treasure, 
keep, and reveal to us ! Then the local preachers and 
exhorters report their work. Would that 

Other reports. 

there might be more of it and that it might 
be better done! Then the Sunday school superin- 
tendent reports the state of the Sunday school. This is 
the place to stir up the brethren's fervent interest and 
hearty cooperation, to present plans and ideas which 
shall make the school larger and more efficient. Then 
come the reports of the presidents of the Epworth 
League chapters. These should be more than figures ; 
the warm, enthusiastic forelook of the president should 
be a part of this report. Then the report of the sub- 
pastors, the class leaders, with the report of the weekly 
prayer meeting, should give the surest index of the 
spiritual life of the church. Once a year, at any rate, 
and oftener if desired, the trustees report upon the 
state of the church property ; and this brings up all 
questions of repairs and rebuilding and debt paying, 



140 Manual for Church Officers. 

etc. Then the stewards report their financial plan, 
how it works, and the treasurer presents the 
report of the current receipts and expendi- 
tures for the quarter. The condition of the pastor's 
salary (house rent, if there is no parsonage) and mov- 
ing expenses is set forth ; the presiding elder, bishops, 
and Conference claimants, and the expenses for the 
care of the church, etc. This in many charges means 
no little admonition, encouragement, planning, and 
helping to the execution of the plans. The pastor has 
already reported the benevolences. The only defi- 
ciency is that the presidents of the women's mis- 
sionary societies and the deaconesses do not report 
their work to the Quarterly Conferences. Of the pro- 
priety of that record containing an account of their 
work there can be no question. Then come the re- 
Reports of ports of committees. Often of these there 
committees. are f ew or non e, and again the report 
of the committee may present matters of the gravest 
import to the well-being of the society; circum- 
stances, of course, govern this. The care of the Sun- 
day school missionary society and the religious instruc- 
tion of the children of the church is brought to the 
special attention of the Quarterly Conference. At 
all times the Quarterly Conference has jurisdiction 
over all local preachers and exhorters, as well as all 
officers of the church, but at the fourth Quarterly 
Recommeiida- Conference the "character" of each local 

tions and re- -i -i i , •, mi 

newais of H- Poacher and exnorter is examined, llien 
cense. each unordained local preacher and ex- 

liorter must be recommended for a renewal of his 
license by vote of his Quarterly Conference, com- 
posed largely of laymen, and who ought to know the 



The Quarterly Conference. 141 

gifts and qualifications of the man they license. If 
any man is unworthy or inefficient this is the place 
where the official career should be stopped. No local 
preacher can be recommended for orders, or for ad- 
mission to the Annual Conference, except by vote of 
the Quarterly Conference. This is delicate and most 
important work, and should be faithfully and con- 
scientiously performed. Few things a church can do 
of more value than to give its sanction to the opening 
career of a successful preacher of the Gospel. To 
have God call one of them and send him forth on that 
great work is high honor indeed. Would that more 
Quarterly Conferences were in prayer before God 
that he might call and fit and qualify the worthiest of 
their sons for the Gospel ministry! According to 
the sacredness of this calling should be the care in 
guarding its approaches from the unworthy and the 
unfit. May the men indorsed by the laymen of our 
Quarterly Conferences be worthy of their confidence 
and support in work upon which they have entered ! 
Then comes the nomination and election of the board 
of stewards. With the swifter revolutions of our 
itinerancy there came a tendency to permanence in 
the positions in the Quarterly Conference. A good 
degree of this is desirable, but an infusion of young, 
energetic men among our stewards, and sometimes 
leaders, is greatly desired. Nothing should be done 
hastily or thoughtlessly, but inquire if God hath not 
pointed out some specially adapted young men or 
young women for this work. 

Two officers of the Conference are to be elected, 
the recording steward and the district steward. 
What the church is in history will depend largely 



142 Manual for Church Officers. 

upon the recording steward. See that he get a 
Recording strongly bound, good-sized book, with a 
steward. ruled margin, so as to be readily referred 

to by marginal index. Let him write a good, fair 
hand, diligently transcribe the records, and always 
have them with him at the Quarterly Conference for 
reference if needed. It is a demoralizing practice for 
a body of responsible officers and representatives of 
the church to try to recall- from memory the action 
of a preceding session. 

Let the district stewards be the brightest and most 
District stew- progressive men of the charge, men who 
ard. represent what is best in the life of the 

church. They have something else to do besides fix 
and apportion the salary of the presiding elder. They 
ought to be an inspiration to each other as they com- 
pare notes and enter upon the proceedings and take 
part in the program of the District Conference or that 
arranged for their own convention. This meeting 
and consultation ought to be a blessing to every 
charge on the district. Then comes the appointment 
of the committees of the Quarterly Conference for the 
coming year, a work that should be carefully pre- 
pared for and thoroughly scrutinized. These com- 
mittees should be composed of persons who will work. 
How important the committee on the church records ! 
The records of each year should show a sufficient and 
carefully written report of this committee. So of all 
the committees; very few of them which will not 
make the church stronger, more united, and more 
efficient if thoroughly worked. 

The Quarterly Conference represents the whole 
church. The representation is large ; it ought to be 



The Quarterly Conference. 143 

of high character. This is the body qualified to 
speak as to the desirability of the pastors pastor's return 
return. If that is desired it should be and successor. 
unmistakably expressed. Such expressions honor the 
Church quite as much as they do the pastor. Few 
men returning who will not do their work better for 
that return being requested ; on the other hand, if a 
change is best, this is the place for the pastor or the 
church to say so, and deal frankly with each other. 
A strong, devoted, liberal, pious Quarterly Confer- 
ence means a vigorous and successful church. ^Ve 
should give in this important body more attention to 
its formation and more prayer to its work. There 
should gather to its responsibilities, sacrifices, and re- 
wards the strong men and women of the community 
for the service of God and his Church — men like Ste- 
phen, the first martyr deacon, full of faith and of the 
Holy Ghost. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE. 

1 87. The District Conference shall be composed of the 
traveling and local preachers, the exhorters, the district stew- 
ards, and also of one Sunday school superintendent, one pres- 
ident of an Epworth League chapter, and one class leader from 
each pastoral charge in the district. But if there shall be more 
than one Sunday school superintendent or league president in 
any circuit or station, then the Quarterly Conference shall des- 
ignate one of each for this service, and it shall also select the 
class leader. 

IF 88. The District Conference shall meet once or twice each 
year in each presiding elder's district, as each District Confer- 
ence shall determine for itself, at such time and place as the 
presiding elder shall designate for the first meeting after the 
adoption of this plan by the district; but the District Confer- 
ence shall at each meeting determine the place for its next 
meeting, the time to be fixed by the presiding elder. 

IF 89. A bishop, when present, shall preside at the District 
Conference. If no bishop be present, the presiding elder of 
the district shall preside. If neither be present, the District 
Conference shall choose its own president by ballot from 
among the traveling elders. 

IT 90. A record of the proceedings of each District Confer- 
ence shall be kept by a secretary chosen for the purpose, and 
a copy of said record si i all be sent to the ensuing Annual Con- 
ference. 

1 91. The regular business of the District Conference shall 
be: 

§ 1. To take the general oversight of all the temporal and 
spiritual affairs of the district, subject to the provisions of the 
Discipline. 



The District Conference. 145 

§ 2. To take cognizance ©f all the local preachers and exhort- 
ers in the district, as provided in 1F1T 192-200, and to arrange a 
plan of appointments for each until the next District Conference. 

§ 3. To inquire whether all the collections for the benevolent 
institutions of the Church, as recognized by the Discipline, 
are properly attended to in all the pastoral charges, and to 
adopt suitable measures for promoting their success. 

§ 4. To inquire into the condition of the Sunday schools in 
the district, and to adopt suitable measures for insuring their 
success. 

§ 5. To inquire into the condition of the Ep worth League 
chapters in the district, and to adopt suitable measures for 
insuring their success. 

§ 6. To inquire respecting opportunities for missionary and 
Church extension enterprises within the district, and to take 
measures for the occupation of any neglected portion of its 
territory by mission Sunday schools, and by appointments for 
public worship. 

§ 7. To provide for appropriate religious and literary exer- 
cises during the session, for the mutual benefit of those attend- 
ing upon them. 

IF 92. The order of business for the District Conference shall 
be: 

1. To inquire what members of the District Conference are 
present. 

2. To appoint committees on the 

1. Examination of candidates for license to preach. 

2. Examination of local preachers in each of the four 

years of the course of study. 

3. Examination of candidates for reception on trial in 

the Annual Conference. 

4. Examination of candidates for orders. 

5. Home mission work. 

6. Appointments of local preachers and exhorters. 

7. Apportionment to each charge of the amounts to be 

raised for benevolent purposes. 

8. Program of religious and literary exercises for the 

next meeting. 

9. Miscellaneous matters. 
10 



146 Manual for Church Officers. 

3. To receive reports : 

1. From the presiding elder, as to the condition of the 

work under his charge, and his own work as pre- 
siding elder. 

2. From each pastor, as to the religious condition of 

his charge, his pastoral labors, the benevolent col- 
lections, and the circulation of our church period- 
icals and books. 

3. From each local preacher, according to the form 

prescribed in IF 196. 

4. From each exhorter, including a statement of the 

prayer meetings he has held, and other work done, 
especially in destitute places and among the sick 
and the poor. 

5. From each district steward, as to the temporal affairs 

of the charge he represents. 

6. From each superintendent, as to the condition of 

the Sunday schools of the charge he represents. 

7. From each president of an Epworth League chapter, 

as to the condition of the chapters of the charge he 
represents. 

8. From each class leader, as to the condition of the 

classes of the charge he represents. 

9. From each committee. 

4. To inquire concerning local preachers : 

1. Are there any charges or complaints ? 

2. Who shall have their licenses renewed ? 

3. Who shall be licensed to preach ? 

4. Who shall be recommended for ordination? 

5. Who shall be recommended for recognition of orders ? 

6. Who shall be recommended for reception on trial in 

the Annual Conferences ? 

7. What work is assigned to each local preacher ? 

5. To inquire concerning exhorters: 

1. Who shall have their licenses renewed? 

2. What work is assigned each exhorter ? 

6. Where shall the next District Conference be held ? 

7. Is there any other business ? 

r 93. The order of business may be varied, and the business 



The District Conference. 147 

interspersed with such literary and religious exercises as the 
Conference may direct. 

f 94. The provisions for District Conferences shall be of 
force and binding only in those districts in which the Quar- 
terly Conferences of a majority of the circuits and stations 
shall have approved the same by asking the presiding elder to 
convene a District Conference, as herein provided. A District 
Conference may be discontinued by a vote of the majority of 
the members present at any regular session, notice thereof 
having been given at a previous session, and with the concur- 
rence of a majority of the Quarterly Conferences in the district. 
In those districts in which District Conferences shall be held 
the powers given to the District Conferences shall not be exer- 
cised by the Quarterly Conferences. In all other cases the 
powers of the Quarterly Conferences shall remain as hereinafter 
pro vi ded . — Discipline. 

THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE. 

The work of the General Conference of 1872 was 
epoch-making' in our history, but not the Purpose and 
least valuable part of it was the calling DisMcfcon- 
into existence and life of the District Con- ference. 
ference. The effect of the measure upon the local 
ministry has not been all that was hoped, but it has 
undoubtedly raised the standard of efficiency in this 
work. But in the care and increase of our benevo- 
lences, of our Sunday school and young people's work, 
the District Conference is indispensable. In other 
directions the work of the District Conference is even 
more valuable, and ought to increase each year. This 
is especially true in regard to preparations for re- 
vival work and general advance along lines of 
united church effort. This is most important where 
an earnest, persistent endeavor is being made to bring 
in better methods into current finances. More 
than all these is the acquaintance and cooperation of 



148 Manual for Church Officers. 

the brethren of the district and the impulse which a 
live and competent presiding elder can give to the 
spiritual and intellectual life of the ministry of the dis- 
trict. Few men of twenty years' service who cannot 
look back upon the guidance and inspiration of some 
presiding officer of the district in these meetings as 
among the most helpful influences of their life and 
work. The ministry tends to isolate men. The num- 
ber of men with whom a reading pastor can talk on a 
charge about the things that must occupy his thought 
or affect his spiritual or intellectual life is not large. 
To come to men who understand the needs of that 
life, and hear topics presented and discussed showing 
how other men are thinking along the same lines, is a 
great help, and prevents more than one man on a poor 
charge from being overcome by a feeling of mental 
stagnation or discouragement and saying, What is the 
use of it all ? None of us but can learn from our breth- 
ren ; all of us feel the power of a fresh enthusiasm. 
This is especially true of young men. What they are 
to be in a lifelong ministry is often determined by 
the atmosphere of the district meetings which they 
attend for the first few years. In no way can a pre- 
siding elder do so much to elevate the tone of the 
workers and increase the quantity of the work done 
as by these district meetings. One great trouble 
with our District Conferences has been to secure the 
attendance and participation of laymen. They are 
busy men. We have few men of leisure interested 
in these things. It is to be hoped that the time 
may come when our leading laymen will plan to at- 
tend these sessions with the same assiduity and fore- 
thought as that which characterizes their attendance 



The District Conference. 149 

upon political conventions or gatherings where large 
business interests are considered. 

The business routine of a District Conference ses- 
sion fortunately is not large. After or- 

Business. 

ganization and the choice of the secretary 
there is the appointment of committees on examina- 
tion of the local preachers in their course of study, as 
candidates for orders, and for admission into the trav- 
eling connection ; committees on appointments of local 
preachers and on the apportionment of benevolences ; 
reports from these committees ; reports from presid- 
ing elder ; reports from all pastors, local preachers, 
exhorters, district stewards, Sunday school superin- 
tendents, presidents of Epworth Leagues, and class 
leaders; the passage of the character of each local 
preacher, renewal of license, recommendation for 
orders or the recognition of orders, or for admission 
to the Annual Conference. It is unnecessary to dwell 
upon the importance of these examinations of qualifi- 
cations and character, or the care with which renewals 
and recommendations should be granted. The Con- 
ference has in its keeping the efficiency and reputation 
of the local ministry and of the traveling ministry of 
the near future. While usipg all necessary safeguards, 
the work should be full of encouragement to those 
seeking entrance to the ministry. The reports, if 
clear, definite, and short, will give a full view of the 
whole work, which cannot but help and promote 
unity of feeling and brotherly cooperation. 

After all, the great importance of the District Con- 
ference to the work of the Church, in inspiring and 
sounding an advance all along the line, is in that part 
of the program which is not prescribed but left to the 



Manual fob Church Officers. 

retion of the Conference and its eon: on pro 

— grams. What spiritual uplift i 
literary pro- what burning enthusiasm, L s with 

rion to so manv preach- 
hearts at our District C 3S ! What help and 

cheer in planning our revival work! What we I 
of information and stimulus to out oonneetional be- 

>lences through the addresses : our General 

_ 

3iioe officers ot of those brethren of the dis- 
: who have given thorough : n to these 

tnes! What a help to the intellectnal life of all 
nghtful ministers and laymen. The » :n of 

the great e-::ons of tlie day as they affect our 
thought, life, or work; the competent review of 
the sti gestj fresl est books — all these give tone and 
ir ministry and itfi work. 
A godly, learned, and successful ministry under 
the leader-:.: of a man of gifts and grace, with a 
grasp on the nt and a prevision of the future. 

cannot ;t make such meetings of great value 

mg men just beginning their work, to the cl 

thej are held, and to the entire work of the 
ict. 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE LAY ELECTORAL CONFERENCE. 

IT 61. The lay delegates shall be chosen by an Electoral Con- 
ference of laymen, which shall assemble for the purpose on the 
third day of the session of the Annual Conference, at the place 
of its meeting, at its session immediately preceding that of the 
General Conference. 

1 62. The Electoral Conference shall be composed of one 
layman from each circuit or station within the bounds of the 
Annual Conference, such laymen to be chosen by the last 
Quarterly Conference preceding the time of the assembling of 
such Electoral Conference ; and on assembling the Electoral Con- 
ference shall organize by electiug a chairman and secretary of 
its own number; provided, that no layman shall be chosen a 
delegate either to the Electoral Conference or to the General 
Conference who shall be under twenty-five years of age, or 
who shall not have been a member of the Church in full con- 
nection for the five consecutive years preceding the elections. — 
Discipline. 

The presiding elders, as presidents of all the Quar- 
terly Conferences of the Conference, are the men 
responsible for the correctness of the roll of the Lay 
Electoral Conference. They should give credentials 
signed by the secretary to the delegates and alternates 
elect. They should also prepare and furnish to the 
secretary of the Lay Electoral Conference a list of 
all such delegates and alternates from each charge on 
his district. Then when the body has come together, 
opened its session, elected its temporary chairman 
and secretary, its roll of members can be quickly and 



152 Manual for Church Officers. 

correctly verified. The Conference can then appoint 
its committees on permanent organization and resolu- 
tions. When these report it can proceed to the elec- 
tion of delegates to the General Conference. The 
result of this election, duly certified by the president 
and secretary, must be sent to the secretary of the 
last General Conference ; then he must properly make 
up the roll of members of the next General Confer- 
ence. Any other business by way of resolution, peti- 
tion, or instruction of delegates elect may be trans- 
acted before the reading of the minutes and adjourn- 
ment. 



Hints for Official Members. 153 



HINTS FOR OFFICIAL MEMBERS. 

1. Superintendents. 

Be kind, firm, patient, keeping order, loyal to the church — 

not sensitive, not fidgety. 
Remarks brief, pointed, pleasant, or impressive. 

2. Presidents of Epworth League Chapters. 

Be prayerful. Expect God's help. Expect the members to 
be blessed, to work, to follow your lead as you are led of 
the Spirit. 

Let the aim of the Chapter be to honor Christ and so help 
man. Let its atmosphere be one of loving helpfulness. 

Let all that can lighten, brighten, or beautify life or society 
be made of service, yet so as to bring and keep God near. 
Every talent and gift, every life for consecrated service. 
For all the upward look, the helping hand. The conse- 
crated life, fellowship, enthusiasm. 

3. Class Leaders. 

Be thoughtful, sympathetic, trustworthy, diligent, wise to 

win, train, and save souls. 
Strengthen against temptation. 
Build up believers. 
Reclaim the wayward. Loyal to the pastor. 

4. Stewards. 

Be prompt, farseeing, careful, thorough, just, systematic 

in business, sharing others' burdens. 
Begin the work in time. Lay the work out thoughtfully, 

securing unity of action for the desired results. 
Be swift, thorough, and untiring in carrying out the plan, 

so that not one person or thing is neglected. Giv'e the 

work its proper place. Do all things in order, in season, 

in the best manner. 



15i Manual for Church Officers. 



RULES OF ORDER.* 

1. Questions of Order. 

The President shall decide all questions of order, subject to 
an appeal to the Conference, and in case of such appeal the 
question shall be taken without debate, except that the 
President may state the grounds of his decision, and the 
appellant may state the grounds of his appeal. 

2. Appointment of Committees. 

The President shall appoint all committees, unless otherwise 
especially ordered by the Conference. 

3. Assigning the Floor. 

On assigning the floor to any member of the Conference the 
President shall distinctly announce the name of the mem- 
ber to whom it is assigned. 

4. Resolutions and Motions Written. 

Resolutions shall be written and presented in duplicate by 
the mover, and all the motions shall be reduced to writing 
if the President, Secretary, or any member requests it. 

5. Secretary to Bead all Written Motions, etc. 

All written motions, reports, and communications to the 
Conference shall be passed to the Secretary, to be by him 
read to the Conference. 

6. Withdrawing a Motion. 

When a motion is made and seconded, or a resolution intro- 
duced and seconded, or a report presented and read by 
the Secretary, or stated by the President, it shall be 
deemed in possession of the Conference ; but any motion 
or resolution may be withdrawn by the mover at any time 
before amendment or decision. 

* These Rales of Order comprise the Rules of Order of the General Confer- 
ence of 1892 from the 3d to the 14th inclusive, and, in addition, Rules 19, ?0, 
21, 26, 31, and 34. The omitted rules are not of general application, but 
specially relate to the work of the General Conference, 



Rules of Order. 155 

7. Nondebatable Motions. 

The motions to adjourn, to suspend the rules, to lay on the 
table, to take from the table, and the call for the previous 
question shall be taken without debate. 

8. Order of Subsidiary Motions. 

No new motion or resolution shall be entertained until the 
one under consideration has been disposed of, which may 
be done by adoption or rejection, unless one of the follow- 
ing motions should intervene, which shall have precedence 
in the order in which they are placed, namely : 

(1) To fix the time to which the Conference shall adjourn. 

(2) To adjourn. 

(3) To take a recess. 

(4) To lay on the table. 

(5) For the previous question. 

(6) To postpone to a given time. 

(7) To refer. 

(8) Substitute. 

(9) Amendment. 

(10) To postpone indefinitely. 
The motion for the previous question cannot be laid on the 
table. 

9. Amendments and Substitute*. 

Only one amendment to an amendment shall be in order, 
but then it shall be in order to move a substitute for the 
main question and one amendment to the substitute, and 
if a substitute is accepted it shall replace the original 
proposition. In voting the Conference shall pursue the 
following order, namely : the main question shall first be 
perfected by voting on the amendments proposed to the 
main question, and then the Conference shall vote upon 
the substitute and its amendment. 

10. Members Must Address the Chair and Obtain Recognition. 
When any member is about to speak in debate, or to deliver 

any matter to the Conference, he shall arise and respect- 
fully address the President, but shall not proceed until 
recognized bv him, and the member must address the 
Chair from his place. 



156 Manual for Church Officers. 

11. Calling Members to Order. 

No member shall be interrupted when speaking except by 
the President, to call him to order when he departs from 
the question, or uses personalities or disrespectful lan- 
guage; but any member may call the attention of the 
President to the subject when he deems the speaker out of 
order, and any member may explain when he thinks him- 
self misrepresented. 

12. Privileged Questions. 

When a member desires to speak to a question of privilege 
he shall briefly state the question; but it shall not be in 
order for him to proceed until the President shall have 
decided it a privileged question. 

13. Time and Order of Speeches in Debate. 

No person shall speak more than twice on the same question, 
nor more than ten minutes at one lime, without leave of 
the Conference ; nor shall any person speak more than once 
until every member choosing to speak shall have spoken. 
Provided, however, that a committee making a report 
shall, through its chairman, or one of its members selected 
by the committee or its chairman, in all cases be entitled 
to ten minutes to close the debate, either to oppose the 
motion, to lay the report on the table, or, this permission 
not having been used, to close the debate on the motion 
to adopt. The committee shall not be deprived of its 
right to close the debate even after the previous question 
has been ordered. 

14. Reconsideration. 

When any motion or resolution shall have been acted upon 
by the Conference, it shall be in order for any member 
who voted with the prevailing side to move a reconsidera- 
tion ; but a motion to reconsider a non debatable motion 
shall be decided without debate. 

15. Yeas and Nays. 

It shall be in order for any member to call for the yeas and 
nays on any question before the Conference, and if the call 
be sustained by one fourth of the members present, the 



Rules of Okder. 157 

vote thereon shall be taken by yeas and nays. If not sus- 
tained, members voting in the minority may have their 
votes recorded by name. 

16. Previous Question. 

It shall be in order to move that the question be taken with- 
out further debate on any measure pending, except in 
cases in which character is involved, and if sustained by a 
vote of two thirds, the question shall be so taken; never- 
theless, it shall be in order under this rule to move to re- 
commit, to divide, or to lay on the table after the previous 
question has been ordered. 

17. When a Motion to Adjourn is in Order. 

The motion to adjourn shall be taken without debate, and 
shall always be in order, except (1) when a member has 
the floor; (2) when a question is actually put, or a vote is 
being taken ; (3) when the question is pending on seconding 
the demand for the previous question; (4) when the pre- 
vious question has been called and sustained, and is still 
pending; and (5) when a motion to adjourn has been neg- 
atived and no business or debate has intervened. 

18. Demonstrations During Debate. 

All demonstrations of approval or disapproval during the 
progress of debate shall be deemed a breach of order. 

19. Suspension of Rules. 

These rules shall not be suspended except by a vote of two 
thirds of the members present and voting. 



PART III 



LAY ORGANIZATION IN THE CHRISTIAN 

CHURCH. 



THE LAITY IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

BY REV. CHARLES J. LITTLE, D.D., PROFESSOR OP CHURCH 
HISTORY IN GARRETT BIBLICAL INSTITUTE, EVANSTON, 
ILL. 
THE LAITY IN THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

BY REV. HENRY ANSTICE, D.D., RECTOR OF ST. LUKE'S 
AND DEAN OF ROCHESTER. 
THE LAITY IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

BY REV. HENRY H. STEBBINS, D.D., PASTOR OF THE CEN- 
TRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
EFFICIENT BAPTIST CHURCHES. 

BY REV. BENJAMIN O. TRUE, PROFESSOR OF CHURCH 
HISTORY IN THE BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 
ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
DENOMINATIONAL STATISTICS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE LAITY IN THE CEIRISTIAN CHURCH. 
BY REV. CHARLES J. LITTLE, D.D. 

The existing evidence tends to show that in the 
Primitive Church laymen could upon The Primitive 
occasion (1) teach or preach; (2) baptize; Churctu 
(3) celebrate the eucharist ; (4) exercise discipline. 
Not until the communities grew in size did the idea 
take root that the church officers possessed exclusive 
powers. During the second century, however, the 
church officers amplified their jurisdiction, TheMontan- 
and laid claim to exclusive functions and ists * 
superior importance. This led to the Montanist reac- 
tion, the Puritan uprising in which the 

m 11- ii r i i A.D.160. 

great lertullian shared, a powerful but un- 
successful struggle against the rapidly developing hier- 
archy. Yet the laymen were onlv gradu- 

J J . Laymen ex- 

ally excluded (l)from preaching, a) when eluded from 

the bishop was present, b) when a church P reacnm ^ 

officer was present, c) altogether ; (2) from the altar, 

although in Milan until comparatively 

. . »V i • i From the altar. 

late times, and in Gaul until the sixth 
century, the laity made their offerings at the altar, (3) 
from participation in ecclesiastical tribu- Fromt heexer- 
nals. Analogous to this exclusion from else of disci- 
trie performance of church function was pme * 
the exclusion of the laity from participation in the 
11 



162 Manual for Church Officers. 

election of bishops and elinrcli officers. At first the 
And from eiee- people of the congregation elected sub- 
tlons * ject to the approval of their president ; 

then the officers nominated and the people approve 1 ; 
finally the people might object only to an unsuitable 
candidate. 

But the decrees of Constantine and his successors 
m». ™ >, * gradually transformed the entire polity of 

The Churcn of o J * I 

theRomanEm- the Christian Church. For the officers of 
piie ' the church were accorded an exceptional 

position in the State and given a distinct legal status. 
The rise of Monasticism, moreover, compelled them 
, ,., to adopt a code of morals different from 

Monastic life " . 

and sacerdotal that of ordinary Christians. In addition 
the sacerdotal ideas of the Jewish and 
Roman rituals cooperated to make the clergy a sepa- 
rate clajs. Clothed thus with unusual and exclusive 
privileges, they were regarded also with superstitious 
reverence by the laity, who had neither a dream nor a 
desire of the equality possessed by the members of 
the Primitive Church. 

In the days of Theodoric the Goth a synod of Rome 
The synod of c ' ec ^ arec -1 that all interference of laymen in 
Pope symma- church matters was inadmissible. For ten 

chus, A. D. 498. ,-, . ,1 , -. -. £ ,i 

centuries this was the watchword oi the 
papal hierarchy. Hence the struggle to escape the 
domination of the emperor at Constantinople, the fre- 
quent conflicts with the princes of Europe, the deadly 
battle with the Holy Roman Empire ; hence, too, the 
Lay invest*, struggles with AmoM of Brescia and the 
ture. Roman people, and with many cities and 

princes of Italy. The question of lay investiture in- 
volved, of course, the rights of princes only. But in 



The Laity in the Christian Church. 1G3 

the Middle Ages cities, too, were sometimes sovereign. 
Looking backward^ the historian sees The people 

it t ,-t ji £ ,i won when the 

clearly enoug.i now that the cause ot the priQces flnally 
princes and of the free cities was really the triumphed, 
cause of the people, though not iinfrequently right- 
eousness and truth were with the pope. For what the 
rulers of Europe retained and won for themselves in 
these protracted struggles has become in the passage 
from monarchy to democracy the possession of man- 
kind. And the diets and parliaments developed in the 
Middle Ages were the beginnings of that representative 
government which has been adopted into the polity 
of the Protestant Church. 

The laymen of the mediaeval Church revealed 
their piety in another form, in the mili- The lay or- 
tary orders of Knights Templar and ders - 
Knights of the Sword. When the Knights Templar 
were suppressed a principal charge against the order 
was a performance of spiritual functions by their 
grand masters. 

In the great mediaeval cities laymen were active in 
the erection of churches and in the organ- Lay organiza- 
ization of charities. The Buonuomini di tion of charity. 
San Martino of Florence, for instance, was an organi- 
zation for practical work among the poor which would 
have delighted the heart of John Wesley or of Thomas 
Chalmers, so simple was it, yet so thoroughly efficient. 

But the great work of mediaeval laymen was the 
creation of the universities ; for the lay- The universi- 
men, not the clergy or the monks, origi- ties * 
nated these fountains of light and liberty. Monks and 
popes were quick to perceive their significance and 
to foresee their reign of power ; they were eager to 



Manual fob Church Off: 

: upt and partially succeeded in their capture ; bnt 
in the end ti.e uuiversir: aped papal control, 

and their escape carried with it the emancipation of 
u pe. 

>::nnltaneous with the rise of tlie nni ap- 

Theanttsac- peared in western E : . bat chiefly in 
e: : :;:s. France, a number of lav preachers, of 
whom the poor men of Lyons were perhaps the 
most iiuj :.: int. These 1 were 

led by the influence and example of Peter Waldo to 
ir proclamati ns A the Gospel at the church doors, 
in public places, and in private honses. Tie Cathaii 
The cathan - bc oally active, and the Albige: 

heretics. Toulouse showed a zeal and a heroism in 

the propagation of their heresies which aroused the 
pope to a frenzy of persecution. 

To counteract this preaching of lay heir::;- the 

Tbe mendi- orders of St. Dominic and St. Francis 

^ ;"; :s ^e: estal lished and encouraged by the 

papal authority, These preaching broth- 

re lavmen originally, soldier- :: the cross, who 

gave up everything in order to carry the banner- I 

ft the farthest corners of the earth. 

at in less than ten centuries these orders had 

John wieiif become so insolent and nnspiritual that, 

erMisf a^iT *° opp ^ them iu England, John Wieiif 

] his itinerant ministry, in which 
laymen alsc reemployed. 

Yet only with the Beformation did the layman 
TheReforma- enter again into his lawful authority in 
^ sns Christ Since the I ys of Luther 

and of Latimer he has been slowly recovering what 
belonged to him in the days of Peter and of Paul. 



The Laiiy in the Christian Church. 1G5 

Slowly recovering ; for though Luther struck the 
hierarchy in the eye, teaching that the 
children of Christ are born equal, that all 
believers are priests in Jesus Christ, and although 
both he and Zwingli interpreted the Bible 

i n i • • -i . Zwingli. 

to mean that ail ecclesiastical power in- 
heres; under Christ, in the congregation of believers, 
nevertheless the stress of circumstances compelled 
an organization of superintendents and consistories, 
which, though admitting the lay element, admitted it 
in the baneful form of State interference and State 
supremacy. 

Each of the German States (even in the new 
empire) having its own church system, the part taken 
by the laity in ecclesiastical affairs is not 

Prussia 

easy to set forth. Prussia, the largest and 
most important State in the empire, has, owing to the 
peculiarities of its growth, more than one system in 
active operation. Yet, in general, it may be said 
that recent legislation in Prussia tends to emanci- 
pate the Church from bondage to the State; neverthe- 
less the goal is far from reached. 

The Supreme Church Council, which sits at Berlin, 
is presided over by a layman and consists of twelve 
members, a majority being clergymen. Subordinate 
to these are eight provincial consistories, the number 
of members in which varies from six to fifteen. 
These, like the Supreme Church Council, have also a 
mixed membership. This consistorial government, 
however, is connected closely with a synodal organi- 
zation of the several churches which is established 
upon Presbyterian principles. In each church com- 
munity there are two church councils, one consisting 



106 Manual for Church Officers. 

of elders, the other of representatives, both chosen 
by the male members of the parish, both presided 
over by the pastor. The functions of the elders are of 
great importance. They must exercise discipline, see 
to the proper performance of the public worship, look 
after the education of the children, take care of poor 
and sick and orphaned, appoint church officers, arrange 
elections of pastors, and manage the church property. 
The parish representatives appear to be a kind of 
senate cooperating with the elders in matters of un- 
usual importance, only the number of representatives 
is three times that of the elders, and certain acts are 
invalid without their sanctions. Manifestly in this 
system the ideas of Luther and of Calvin have reached 
a curious blending. 

Calvin was never a man of the people ; he was 
theologically and politically despotic in 
theory and in practice. He had no sym- 
pathy with the views of Zwingli and of Luther 
touching the priesthood of believers. Yet Calvin 
created the lay eldership. He confessed 
that it was an expedient to which he was 
driven by the peculiar circumstances of Geneva; but 
only after he had adopted it reluctantly did he seek 
scriptural support to defend it from attack. God, 
who is wiser than Calvin, and compels his elect to 
build better than they know and stronger than they 
intend, was on the side of the church session. The 
local and temporary expedient of John Calvin, of 
Geneva, became a unit of church government in 
Holland, in Scotland, and in America ; lay cooperation 
in church administration became the law and the life 
of many powerful denominations. 



The Laity in the Christian Church. 167 

How rapidly post facto discoveries of Scripture can 
be made is shown in the " Sacred Disci- The sacred 
pline" subscribed to by Thomas Cart- Discipline. 
wright and five hundred other divines. For they 
were infallibly convinced thai" there can be but one 
right church order and form,'' and that in every par- 
ticular church there ought to be a presbytery of elders 
by whom " all things are directed that belong to the 
state of the church." 

This was to set up in every parish in England the 
" lordlie tyrannie " so sharply denounced by Robert 
Browne, the father of the Separatists, from The separat- 
wliorn the Leyden pilgrims sprang. He fets - 
found these tyrants, he said, "in the best reformed 
places in Scotland, in Donde, St. Andrewes, Eden- 
borough, and sundrie other tonnes." Knox's idea of 
the Church, like Calvin's, was territorial ; there could 
be but one Church, and everybody living within the 
geographical limits of a parish belonged to and was 
subject to that parish until excommunicated from it, 
and iii the latter case subject as much as ever. This- 
is the explanation of Milton's famous line : 

"New Presbyter is Vut old Priest writ large." 

The Anabaptists of the Continent and the Brown- 
ists of England were the first to reaffirm in practice 
what Luther and Zwingli had declared in principle, to 
wit 5 the equality of all believers in the Christian com- 
munity. " In all y r meetings," runs the deposition of 
John Dove, taken in 1588, the Brownists " teach that 
there is no Ileade or Supreme Gouvernonr of the 
Church of God but Christ; . . . that a private man 
being a brother may preach to beget fayth ; . \ . that 



168 Manual for Church Officers. 

there needetli not publique ministers, but every man 
The mdepend- in bis own calling is to preach the Gos- 
ents - pell." From these despised Separatists 

came the English Independents, to whom Cromwell 
and many of his bravest soldiers belonged; from them 
came also "the two effective aggregations of English- 
born Independency beyond the bounds of England — 
the small Dutch scattering and the massive American 
extension. 

But when Cromwell died the Commonwealth per- 
ished and the bishops came -back. With the latter 
came evil days for Independents, Baptists, and Quak- 
ers. The development of democracy in the English 
Church was driven under ground for a while, to re- 
appear in a unique form in John Wesley. 

Like John Calvin, he had a keen appetite for 
power. But then he had the instincts and 
the genius of a ruler of the people. He 
never intended to create either his denomination or 
his remarkable machinery of lay cooperation. In fact, 
.he invented nothing; but having an eye as keen as 
Darwin's for providential potencies he seized and 
developed them into permanent powers. Robert 
Browne, John Robinson, George Fox, John Banyan, 
all insisted upon the right of the disciple to speak for 
his Master. The Moravians had their societies and 
their inward witness. But John Wesley first gave 
the modern world lay preaching on a large scale. His 
itinerant helpers were for the most part unordained 
laymen; from their experience of sin and of salva- 
tion they derived their duty of personal endeavor for 
the salvation of mankind. 

Calvin's eldership, so reluctantly adopted, was but 



The Laity in the Christian Church. 109 

an expedient for ruling the canton parish of Geneva. 
Wesley's societies and Conferences were a contrivance 
for spreading scriptural holiness through the world- 
parish to which lie was called. To the question, " Who 
shall speak and work in the societies?" Wesley an- 
swered, " All who will obey me in Jesus Christ ; " to the 
question, "Who shall rule in the societies?" Wesley 
answered, " I only, and I see no harm in it." 

These itinerants, of course, tended to become a class, 
an ordained clergy, and after Wesley's death the trans- 
formation was completed. For though in his famous 
Poll Deed the government of the societies 
passed from John Wesley to the Legal 
Hundred, " preachers and expounders of God's Holy 
Word under his care and in his Connexion, and their 
successors for the time being forever," yet to pacify the 
people the preachers thus endowed with executive pow- 
er found it necessary to promulgate a u Code of Laws " 
and a " Plan of Pacification," in which the people were 
guaranteed their respective rights and privileges. 
Yet not until the Methodists of America had intro- 
duced lay representation did the British Methodists 
introduce it into their svstem, and then in a most 

•/ 7 

cautions and experimental fashion. This might have 
proved exceedingly disastrous had not the local socie- 
ties possessed much power, and had not the structure 
of them, the offices of class leader, steward, exhorter, 
local preacher, afforded ample scope for lay activity. 

Wesley found the suggestion of his societies in the 
bands of the Moravians. The first of his own form- 
ing begin in 1738; from this Wesley and a number 
of others withdrew in 1739. The City Roa 1 Society 
was then founded and followed speedily by societies 



170 Manual for Church Officers. 

in every part of England. These were intended to 
be auxiliary to the Church of England, and the condi- 
tions of membership were at once simple and rigidly 
applied. Lay preaching began of itself in 1740. 
Classes and class leaders were created at Bristol about 
the same time, and the famous rules for stewards were 
framed in 1747. All this came about quite naturally, 
Wesley developing the opportunities and suggestions 
that came to him with marvelous skill. In doins: so 
lie gave an impulse to lay cooperation in Christian 
work that has marked the nineteenth century with 
exceptional interest in Christian history. It is the 
century of Sunday schools (Wesley sharing with 
Robert Raikes the glory of their origin) ; it is the cen- 
tury of missionary societies, in which laymen have 
participated from the beginning ; it is the century of 
young men's Christian associations, of young people's 
leagues, of woman's missionary societies, of lay evan- 
gelists like Moody and Robert Pearsall Smith, of 
church congresses where laymen are mighty in speech, 
of church journals where laymen vie with clergymen 
in shaping the thought of the Church and the con- 
duct of the world. 

Doubtless the coming of democracy to America in 
1776 and to Europe in 1789 has greatly influenced 
this popularizing of Christian institutions. Never- 
theless lay activity was the heart of the great revival 
of the eighteenth century, and lay activity is in any 
generation the true measure of the life of God in this 
Church. In a phrase quoted none too often it is now 
recognized nearly everywhere that the minister's par- 
ish is not "his lield, but his force." 

While Wesley was thus, with his friends and help- 



The Laity in the Christian Church. 171 

ers, transforming the religious character of England, 
the English in America had become a The church in 
nation. An opportunity was about to be Americu - 
given the Christian Church unknown in all its 
history — the opportunity to develop its life without 
let or hindrance. In many colonies the largest 
liberty of church organization had been permitted 
before the Revolution; the fear that this liberty 
was to be withdrawn and the Church of Eng- 
land established everywhere was one of the potent 
causes of the Revolution. Nevertheless, the Con- 
gregat'onalists of New England had developed in 
a most peculiar fashion. The founders of The cemgrega- 
the State were the pillars of the Church, tionaiists. 
Indeed, they founded a Church-State, excluding from 
suffrage all who were not church members. This led 
to a reaction, which subordinated the church to the 
parish ; that is, to all the voters of the town, whether 
church members or not. The practical working in 
the first case was the creation of church councils, 
and the subjugation of the local churches to the 
civil magistrates; in the second, the degradation of 
the .church members " by putting the liberties of 
the churches into the hands of the whole inhabitants 
of the town." 

Presbyterianism, on the other hand, developed in 
the colonies into the simple and efficient The Presbyte- 
system of churches, presbyteries, synods, nans - 
and General Assembly such as we now see it. The 
General Assembly consists of an equal delegation of 
bishops and elders from each presbytery,. and is the 
highest judicatory of the Presbyterian Church. 

After the Revolution the adherents of the Church 



172 Manual for Church Officers. 

of England in the United States were for a while in a 
had case. Yet under the political atmosphere of the 
colonies vestrymen and church wardens had developed 
an appetite for ecclesiastical authority which led to 
the admission of the laity into ecclesiastical councils 
and to coordinate power, first in the Church of Penn- 
sylvania and then in that of all the States. 

In October, 1784, fifteen clergymen and fifteen 
TheEpisco- laymen met in New York and commended 
paiians. i\ ie principles which were subsequently 

adopted in the organization of the Protestant Episco- 
pal Church, to wit: A general convention, the depu- 
ties to consist of clergy and laity, these to deliberate 
together, but the concurrence of both orders to be 
necessary for the validity of a vote. 

But the terms " warden" and " vestry," as used by 
the Episcopalians of America, by no means imply 
that the " parish " of England is constituted like the 
The English parish in America. An English parish 
parish. i ms t w0 sides, the civil and the ecclesias- 

tical. The vestry meeting is an assembly of the rate- 
payers of the civil or poor-law parish. This vestry 
meeting elects the parish officers; that is, the church- 
wardens and way wardens, the assessors, the overseers, 
the vestry clerk, the collector of poor rates. The 
meetings of the vestry are presided over by the min- 
ister of the ecclesiastical parish, and may be called at 
any time upon a three days' notice. 

The ecclesiastical parish, although quite definite in 
its boundaries, is not necessarily a contiguous terri- 
tory. The rector of the parish owns the church and 
churchyard subject to the uses of the parishioners. 
The church wardens are the principal lay officers. 



The Laity in the Christian Church. 173 

Their duty is to keep church and churchyard in repair 
to keep order in the church during divine service, to 
raise funds for church work by voluntary rates, to 
furnish annual accounts to the Local Government 
Board. 

In America there is, of course, no such twofold 
aspect of the parish. Wardens and ves- The American 
trvmen constitute a board of trustees P arisn - 
elected by the pewholders or by whoever may be 
designated in the charter of the corporation. 

The church guilds that exist in many parishes of 
the United States are organizations of young men for 
religious and charitable work ; they are constituted 
simply, and where the rector has administrative en- 
ergy and tact they are singularly efficient 

- i . . . t . , . Church guilds. 

both 111 preserving vital piety among their 
members and in making the church a power in the 
community. The rapid growth of Episcopalianism 
in certain cities is due to the great wisdom displayed 
in the organization of the lay element of the parish. 
St. Mark's, of Philadelphia, and Trinity, of Boston, 
are notable instances of organizing skill. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at 
Baltimore in 1784. Thanks to the genius of John 
"Wesley, the local society was already quite perfect, 
leaving little room for any further development of lay 
activity. Indeed, with the exception of the Church 
Lyceum, recognized by the Discipline of 1884, the 
Epworth League, the organization of The Method _ 
which was completed in 1892, and the 1st Episcopal 

, . . ,. /? i Church. 

woman s missionary societies, toreign and 

home, nothing of moment has been added to the 

local machinery. Into the various boards instituted 



174 Manual for Church Officers. 

from time to time for the supervision of connectional 
benevolences laymen have been introduced from the 
beginning ; and they have in recent years created 
societies for city evangelization which in 1892 were 
formally recognized by the General Conference. 

But quite early in the history of the Church the 
question of admitting laymen to a participation in 
church government was raised and discussed. 

The genius of Methodism involved lay representa- 
Laydeiega- tion, for Methodism is (1) the joyful proc- 
tlon * lamation of a personal experience of Je- 

sus Christ, and (2) the perfection of personal experi- 
ence in Christian fellowship. The separation of its 
ministry from its laity in legislation and ultimate de- 
cision was therefore illogical and dangerous; all the 
more so in a democratic country, in a period of 
democratic development, and in the presence of Con- 
gregational societies, Baptist meetings, Presbyterian 
assemblies, and Episcopal conventions making an 
open display of lay activity and lay authority. After 
an exciting and protracted agitation lay delegates 
were admitted to the General Conference of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church in 1872, and the question of 
the admission of women delegates now occupies atten- 
tion. In the Congregational Church women were 
formerly denied the right of suffrage, both in England 
and in America. The prohibitions of the New Testa- 
ment were held to cover voting as well as speaking in 
the churches. But female suffrage, as well as speak- 
ing, is now common in Congregational churches, and 
where the State allows it in societies or corporations. 

The Presbyterian Assembly of 1832 inhibited women 
from speaking to promiscuous gatherings, but the 



The Laity in the Christian Chukcii. 175 

Assembly of 1874 committed the whole subject to the 
pastors and elders of the churches. The tendency is 
therefore manifestly to enlarge the sphere of womanly 
activity and responsibility in the specifically Protestant 
churches. How far this tendency will reach the future 
only can disclose. 

In early Methodism the preaching of women was 
not uncommon, and in class and love feast 

Women. 

speech, one may say, was required ot them. 
The Society of Friends had preceded the Methodists 
in this matter, and the eloquence and noble character 
of some of their female preachers have done much to 
break down the prejudice against the participation of 
women in the proclamation of the "good news." 

The Roman Catholic Church, since the days of 
Paula and Scholastica, has encouraged The Pt0man 
women to abandon the world and to ffive catnoiics. 
themselves to works of prayer and mercy and instruc- 
tion. The calendar of saints abounds in the names 
of consecrated daughters of the Church. The dea- 
conesses of German Protestantism, the sisterhoods of 
England, the deaconesses and sisterhoods of Ameri- 
can Protestantism, are, however, not an imitation of 
these ; they are rather one of the man v indications 
of a return to apostolic Christianity gilding the last 
years of this century with the promise of a fresh out- 
burst of divine-human activity, of the kingdom of 
heaven close at hand. 

The Roman Catholic Church also has been touched 
with the spirit of the age. Laymen appear in the 
congresses and councils of the Church, both in Eu- 
rope and America, and the entire world is embraced 
by the Apostleship of Prayer or League of the 



176 Manual for Church Officers. 

Sacred Heart. This League originated in the beati- 
League of the fication of Sister Margaret Mary, a French 
sacred Eeart. llul ^ w ] l0 [ e f c ()]1 i- CCO i-(j certain revelations 

made to her of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This League, 
the members of which are counted by millions, is made 
up of circles limited to fifteen. Each circle is watched 
over by a promoter who founds and fosters it. There 
are three degrees attainable: 1. The morning offer- 
ing ; 2. The daily rosary decade ; 3. The monthly 
communion of reparation. This Apostleship of Prayer 
numbers, among the English-speaking Catholics of the 
United States, 1,465,500 associates. It is, however, 
purely devotional, holding no meetings whatever, the 
members simply b nding themselves to pray. It com- 
prises both sexes and all ages. 

The sodalities require of their members "more 
than ordinary piety." The Roman primary is the 
mother and parent of all sodalities, and with this 
many of them are canonically affiliated. 

In addition to the League and the sodalities there 
are among Catholics various benevolent and charitable 
organizations of laymen under the supervision of the 
parish priest and diocesan bishop. So that, in spite 
of the exclusion of- the laity from participation in 
church government, the Catholics are recognizing the 
power of the laity and the necessity of organizing them 
for specific purposes if they would not lose them from 
the Church. 



Laity in the Protestant Episcopal Church. 177 



CHAPTER II. 

THE LAITY IX THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



The " functions of the laity " in the Protestant 
Episcopal Church may be most intelligibly set forth 
by some consideration of the three distinct relations to 
the Church which they sustain as (1) legislators, (2) 
members of vestries, and (3) as parish workers. Their 
functions in the sphere first named are the creation of 
the constitution and the canon law ; in the second of 
these spheres State legislation largely prescribes and 
regulates their powers, while in the third the func- 
tions exercised are voluntary and defined by custom 
and parochial authority. 

I. Consideration of the functions of the laity in 
the legislation of the Church makes evident the fact 
that their power is only equaled, not exceeded, by 
that of the bishops and other clergy. The organic 
legislative bodies are diocesan and general- — the Dio- 
cesan Council and the General Convention. 

The integer of the Church is the diocese or juris- 
diction of a bishop, whose limits are determined by 
the law controlling its erection. Its governing body 
consists of its bishop (who is vested with legally de- 
fined executive functions), of all the clergy " canon- 
ically resident" within the See and recognized by the 

diocesan constitution as entitled to a seat and vote, 
12 



178 Manual for Church Officers. 

and of lay representatives from every parish and 
missionary station similarly entitled. This body, so 
constituted, is vested with supreme legislative power 
in all diocesan matters, subordinate only to the higher 
authority of the constitution and canons of the whole 
Church as formulated by the General Convention. In 
every diocesan council there is legal provision for "a 
vote by orders," the effect of which is that nothing 
can be done without the consent of a majority of the 
lay representatives. On any question deemed of grave 
importance where radical diversity of view exists, the 
roll is called, first of the clergy, then of the parishes ; 
and there must be concurrence of a majority of both 
the clergy and the laity to give effect to any resolu- 
tion ; so neither can infringe upon or override the 
others rights. In the election of a bishop the same 
rule obtains ; in fact, it is obligatory that the choice 
should be effected by such concurrence of votes taken 
by each order separately. At every diocesan council 
a body known as the " Standing Committee " is elected 
to exercise certain powers of the council ad interim, 
and this body in almost every diocese is composed of 
an equal number of clergymen and laymen. It con- 
stitutes the bishop's " council of advice," and without 
a certain testimonial signed by its members the bishop 
lias no power to ordain a deacon or a priest. In the 
event of the bishop's death or disability, the standing 
committee becomes the " Ecclesiastical Authority" 
of the diocese for all those parts of a bishop's adminis- 
trative duty which do not require episcopal consecra- 
tion for their validity ; and the bishop may by his 
own act devolve such authority on the committee in 
the event of temporary incapacity or prolonged ab- 



Laity in the Pkotestant Episcopal Church. 179 

sence from the diocese. The functions of the laity 
as diocesan legislators are thus seen to be signally 
important. They have practically veto power on any 
measure which maybe proposed; without their sig- 
natures, the way to Holy Orders is barred against 
an applicant ; they have an equal voice in choos- 
ing their chief pastor, and in a vacancy in the epis- 
copate they share in exercising the "ecclesiastical 
authority." 

Their other legislative sphere is in the General 
Convention. In this great body vests the supreme 
law-making power. It consists of two houses — the 
House of Bishops, in which all bishops exercising 
jurisdiction are entitled to a seat, and the House of 
Deputies, composed of four clerical and four lay repre- 
sentatives from each of the fifty-two dioceses now 
constituting the American Church (1893). Concurrent 
action of both houses is essential to the passage of a 
measure. But no measure can be adopted in the lower 
house unless a majority of the dioceses, both in the 
clerical and lay representations, yield their assent. 
This u vote by dioceses and orders" can be demanded 
by the clerical or the lay representation of any dio- 
cese ; but in the absence of such demand a question 
can be determined by acclamation or otherwise, as in 
other deliberative bodies. But the effect of this consti- 
tutional provision is to give the laity an equal power 
with the clerical members and with the House of Bish- 
ops. From all which it appears that the functions 
of the laity in the legislative sphere are of the gravest, 
most potential character. 

II. The functions of the laity as members of a 
vestry bring under review their official duties in the 



180 Manual for Church Officers. 

parish with which they are connected. The vestry is 
the body which in this State (New York), as in most 
others, consists of and lias for its legal title " the rector, 
churchwardens, and vestrymen." The law of its con- 
stitution varies in different dioceses, because a subject 
of diocesan rather than general legislation, and because 
as a " religions corporation" it is the creature of the 
civil law governing the incorporation of parishes in 
the several States. It will suffice, however, here to 
speak in general terms of the official functions which 
membership in a vestry, whether as a warden or a 
vestryman, involves. 

The legal incorporation of a parish is effected under 
State law and involves the creation of a vestry, and 
a certificate of such incorporation is requisite before 
an organized parish can be recognized as an integral 
part of the diocese. The vestry consists of two 
churchwardens and a number of vestrymen (usually 
from four to eight, who, together with the rector, if 
there be one, constitute the body corporate by the name 
expressed in the legally prescribed certificate of incor- 
poration. This body are the trustees of the church, 
and are empowered to possess and control all its tem- 
poralities of every name and nature until the next en- 
suing Eastertide election by duly qualified electors of 
the congregation which they represent. Its adminis- 
tration of affairs must be in strict accordance with the 
canon law. Among its functions .may be named the 
appointment of its own clerk and treasurer, and of 
such under-officers as sexton, choir master, and the 
like, who receive compensation; the care of the 
church edifice and rectory and other property ; provis- 
ion for all salaries, improvements, and repairs ; collec- 



Laity in the Protestant Episcopal Church. 181 

tion of the church's revenue ; and when the rector- 
ship is vacant to take the custody of the church plate 
and sacred vessels and the parish register, and to ar- 
range for maintenance of public service. The vestry 
also sign certificates in favor of young men aspiring 
to the sacred ministry, and elect delegates to repre- 
sent the parish in the council of the diocese. The 
right to call a rector vests in the wardens and the 
vestrymen, and the amount of salary named in the 
call cannot be changed except by mutual consent of 
the contracting parties. If differences arise between 
them and the rector they neither can remove him nor 
take action to that end. The congregation only can 
initiate measures having in view the dissolution of the 
pastoral relation, under provisions of the general 
canon, except in dioceses where other canonical legis- 
lation supersedes the necessity of the general law. In 
matters purely spiritual the functions of the laity are 
those of helpers to the clergy, and the official promi- 
nence attaching to members of the vestry, while en- 
tailing no specific functions of a spiritual sort, simply 
emphasizes their duty and their privilege to aid the 
rector as devoted, loyal Christian men, in carrying 
out his plans for the upbuilding of the parish and the 
care of souls. The ideal parish is, in this respect, 
that where the wardens and the vestrymen are chosen 
not for their social prominence or wealth, but for 
their Christian character, churchly intelligence, and 
godly zeal; who know and act upon the full signifi- 
cance of "the priesthood of the laity, 7 ' and who are 
ready to cooperate under their rector's leadership in 
every good word and work. The spiritual leader- 
ship vests in the rector only, by canon law and by 



182 Manual for Church Officers. 

church principles, since the ministry is of divine ori- 
gin and authority, while the parish is a purely human 
institution, the creature of the civil law or of conven- 
tional arrangement. The parish officers cannot pos- 
sess, then, a coordinate authority with the ordained 
ambassador of Christ, who is " over them in the Lord ; " 
but on them rests the solemn obligation to forward in 
all practicable ways the spiritual interests of the church, 
as becomes men holding important trusts, always in 
loyal recognition of the headship of their rector. For 
the Church gives to him the sole responsibility of 
admitting to her privileges of membership in baptism, 
confirmation, and the holy communion ; the unre- 
stricted right to the church buildings for all lawful serv- 
ices and use ; the exclusive direction of the worship 
and all that pertains thereto, including the character 
of the music to be rendered. And in his conscien- 
tious discharge of these responsibilities the members 
of the vestry should loyally sustain him by cordial 
sympathy, pecuniary provision, and personal coopera- 
tive service. 

III. The functions of the laity as parish workers are 
as diverse and numerous as the organizing ability and 
zeal of the rector, coupled with readiness to work on 
the people's part, may afford scope for their exercise. 
There has been wonderful advance of late in recog- 
nition of lay help as essential to the conception of a 
well-worked parish. Not only is the field of Sunday 
school and Bible class instruction fully utilized, and 
missionary organizations for both old and young effi- 
ciently conducted, but largo, well-ordered parishes 
abound with guilds, societies, associations of all 
kinds, which give abundant scope for lay activity 7 . 



Laity in the Pkotestant Episcopal Church. 183 

Thus may be named church clubs for men and boys, 
the Knights of Temperance, Guild of the Iron Cross, 
the White Cross Guild, and the St. Andrew's Brother- 
hood, whose chapters are widespread throughout the 
land; the sewing or industrial schools, the kindergar- 
tens, flower missions, employment bureaus, and be- 
nevolent societies; the mothers' meetings, Girls' 
Friendly Society, and Daughters of the King. All 
these are doing untold good in parishes throughout the 
Church. Lay help is being utilized as it has never 
been before, and the rapid multiplication of parish 
houses is at once proof and promoter of this indis- 
pensable element in the practical aspect of true church 
life. The social feature, which had been somewhat 
neglected, has come into a greater prominence as all 
these means of doing good have through associated 
effort brought the people into closer sympathy and 
personal relations. The primitive order of deacon- 
esses has moreover been revived, and many of these 
godly women, trained and set apart for special service, 
are now efficient helpers of the clergy in those larger 
parishes which have been able to secure them. The 
untold possibilities of lay cooperation have been be- 
gun to be availed of with much earnestness and good 
success, and \)j God's blessing, "putting it into 
the hearts of his faithful people to do unto him true 
and laudable service," will yield increasingly the best 
results to the glory of his name. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE LAITY IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 



The Presbyterian Church in America dates from 
the seventeenth century. Authorities are divided be- 
tween the earlier and the later parts of that century. 
The preponderating evidence, however, is in favor 
of the later date, say 1681. 

Various separations have occurred in the Presbyte- 
rian Church — one in 1745, another in 1766, others in 
1797, 1804, and 1807. In 1838 occurred the famous 
separation between the Old and New School Assem- 
blies. In 1869 organic reunion between the Old and 
New School Assemblies was achieved. 

In 1857 six synods at the South, connected with the 
New School Assembly, withdrew because of the ap- 
proval of a paper on slavery. They were followed, 
and for the same reason, a year or two later, by two 
other synods in the Southern States. In 1861 ten 
synods, with the presbyteries and el lurches under 
their care, went out and formed a separate Churcli 
with another Assembly, known as " The General As- 
sembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
States." 

Jn distinction from the Presbyterian Church at the 
South we write of the Presbyterian Church at the 



The Laity in the Presbyterian Church. 185 

North, and known as " The Presbyterian Church in 
the United States of America." 

The Presbyterian Church of which we treat con- 
sists, according to the last report (May, 1892), of 30 
synods, 217 presbyteries, 6,331 ministers, 7,208 
churches, and 830,179 communicants. 

The Presbyterian Church represents that form of 
government which holds that u the people have a 
right to a substantive part in the government of the 
Church by representatives generally called ruling 
elders ; that the presbyters who minister in word and 
doctrine are the highest permanent officers of the 
Church, and all belong to the same order ; and that 
the outward and visible Church is, or should be, one, 
in the sense that a smaller part is subject to a larger, 
and a larger to the whole, as in courts of appeal." 

The Presbyterian Church in the United States of 
America is governed in its temporal matters by trus- 
tees, in its local charities by deacons, and in its spir- 
itual affairs by elders. 

Trustees. — The trustees of a Presbyterian church 
are the persons named in its certificate of incorpora- 
tion under the statute of the State. These and their 
successors in office are the legal representatives of the 
corporation. They are usually elected so that one 
third of their number go out of office every three 
years. Trustees are elected by the members of the 
church, men and women in full communion, together 
with all who contribute to the support of the church. 

Deacons. — Our Form of Government, chap, vi, says : 
" The Scriptures clearly point out deacons as distinct 
officers in the Church, whose business it is to take 
care of the poor and to distribute among them the 



180 Manual for Church Officers. 

collections which may be raised for their use. To 
them also may be properly committed the manage- 
ment of the temporal affairs of the Church." rt In till 
cases " (we quote from our Form of Government) 
u persons selected as deacons must be male members 
in full communion in the church in which they are 
to exercise their office." 

Deacons, like elders, are elected by their constitu- 
ents. Strictly speaking, communicants only have the 
right to vote, upon the principle that only church 
members can consistently vote for those who are to 
hear spiritual rule. It is customary, however, in 
some churches, for those who give for the support 
of the Gospel, but who are not communicants, to 
vote for such officers, and that custom has been 
winked at. 

Ordination and installation are necessary prerequi- 
sites to the exercise of the deacon's office, as of the 
function of elder. It is also necessary for the deacon, 
as for the elder, to assent to the standards of the 
Church. Deacons are permanent officers, unless by 
resignation or by deposition they relinquish their 
office. In many churches there are no deacons ; in 
such cases the elders take the oversight of the poor. 

There has been a persistent clamor for deaconesses, 
fo much so that the last General Assembly, May, 
1892, submitted to the churches the following over- 
ture : " Shall the Form of Government be so amended 
as to add a section reading as follows: 

" ' The Session may elect and appoint godly and 
competent women, in full communion with the 
Church, for the care of the poor and sick, and espe- 
cially of poor widows and orphans, and for all snch 



The Laity in the Presbyterian Church. 187 

ministrations to bodily and spiritual needs as may 
properly come within tlieir sphere.' " 

Elders. — Our jfibrm of Government recognizes two 
classes of elders : ruling and teaching. Teaching 
elders are, technically, ordained ministers. " Ruling 
elders are properly the representatives of the people, 
chosen by them (in the same manner as deacons) for 
the purpose of exercising government and discipline 
in conjunction with pastors or ministers." 

An elder, like a deacon, must be a male member in 
full communion with the church where he is elected. 
The number of elders is not limited. The office of 
elder is perpetual, but its functions need not always 
be exercised. Elders used to be elected for life or 
during good behavior. That practice still obtains, 
although it is being widely displaced by the rotation 
system, whereby an elder is chosen for a limited time. 

The Session is the lowest of the four courts of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

The Session consists of the pastor or pastors and 
(ruling) elders of a particular congregation. Two 
elders, if there be two, with the pastor, constitute a 
quorum. Otherwise one elder, with the pastor, may 
transact business. The pastor is the moderator or 
chairman of the Session. If there he no pastor, or 
if he be sick or absent, another minister of the same 
presbytery may preside, or, where that is impracti- 
cable, an elder may act in that capacity. 

The Session, so constituted, maintains the spiritual 
government of the congregation. Its authority ex- 
tends over all the members of the church, full com- 
municants, those who have been suspended from 
church privileges, and all baptized persons. The 



1S8 Manual for Church Officers. 

Sunday school is under the direct control of the Ses- 
sion. The Session has the authority to try members, 
to receive members into the Church, to administer 
discipline, to concert the best measures for promoting 
the spiritual interests of the congregation, and to 
appoint delegates to the higher judicatories of the 
church. 

The court next above the Session is the Presbytery. 
It consists of all the ministers, not less than five, and 
one ruling elder from each congregation within a 
certain district. All the churches within the bounds 
of a Presbytery are under its care and government. 
Any three ministers and as many elders as may be 
present belonging to the Presbytery are a quorum. 
The Presbytery has power to receive and issue ap- 
peals from church sessions and references duly brought 
before them ; to examine and license candidates for 
the ministry ; to ordain, install, remove, and judge 
ministers; to examine and approve or censure the 
records of church sessions ; to resolve questions of 
doctrine or discipline ; to condemn wrong opinions ; 
to visit churches for the sake of ascertaining their 
condition and of settling difficulties, and to unite or 
divide congregations as may be desired and deemed 
best. 

The judicatory next in order is the Synod. It con- 
sists of the ministers and elders within a district in- 
cluding at least three presbyteries. 

Synods are formed and their bounds appointed by 
the General Assembly. In 1881 a plan was adopted 
whereby each Synod should be made, unless obviously 
impracticable, conterminous with the boundaries of 
the State. The present basis of sy nodical representa- 



The Laity in the Presbyterian Church. 189 

tiou is as follows : " The Synod of New York shall 
be composed of equal delegations of ministers and 
ruling, elders from each presbytery in the following 
proportion : each presbj^tery the number of whose 
ministers and churches taken together is not more 
than fourteen shall send one minister and one elder ; 
each presbytery containing more than fourteen and 
not more than twenty-eight ministers and churches 
taken together shall send two ministers and two 
elders ; and so in like proportion for every additional 
number of fourteen ministers and churches taken to- 
gether, or for the fraction thereof ; provided, that no 
presbytery shall be entitled to send more than ten 
ministers and ten elders." Any seven ministers be- 
longing to the Synod, with as many elders as may be 
present, are a quorum, provided not more than three 
of the said ministers belong to the same presbytery. 

The functions of the Synod are : To receive and 
issue all appeals regularly brought up from the pres- 
byteries ; to decide all references made to them ; to 
review the records of presbyteries and approve or 
censure them ; to redress whatever has been done by 
presbyteries contrary to order ; to take effectual care 
that presbyteries observe the constitution of the 
Church ; to erect new presbyteries and unite or divide 
those which were before erected ; generally to take 
such order with respect to the presbyteries, sessions, 
and people under their care as may be in conformity 
with the word of God and the established rules, and 
which tend to promote the edification of the Church, 
and to propose to the General Assembly for their adop- 
tion such measures as may be of common advantage 
to the whole Church. 



190 Manual for Church Officers. 

The highest judicatory of the Presbyterian Church 
is the General Assembly. It comprises all the churches 
of the denomination represented by delegates chosen 
by the presbyteries to which they belong. The pres- 
ent basis of representation is: u An equal delegation 
of bishops and elders from each presbytery, in the 
following proportion, namely : each presbytery con- 
sisting of not more than twentv-four ministers shall 
send one minister and one elder ; and each presbytery 
consisting of more than twenty -four ministers shall 
send one minister and one elder for each twenty-four 
ministers, or for each additional fractional number of 
ministers not less than twelve ; and these delegates so 
appointed shall be styled Commissioners to the Gen- 
eral Assembly." Any fourteen or more commission- 
ers, one half of whom are ministers, constitute a 
quorum. It is the province of the General Assembly 
to receive and issue all appeals, complaints, and refer- 
ences that shall .affect the doctrine or constitution of 
the Church, which may be regularly brought before 
them from the inferior judicatories ; to review the 
records of every synod and approve or censure them ; 
to give their advice and instruction in all cases sub- 
mitted to them in conformity with the constitution of 
the Church ; to constitute the bond of union, peace, 
correspondence, and mutual confidence among all the 
churches ; to decide in all controversies respecting 
doctrine and discipline ; to reprove, warn, or bear tes- 
timony against error in doctrine, or immorality in 
practice, in any church, presbytery, or synod ; to 
erect new synods when it may be judged necessary; 
to superintend the concerns of the whole Church; 
to correspond with foreign Churches on such terms 



The Laity in the Presbyterian Church. 191 

as may be agreed upon by the Assembly and the 
corresponding body ; to suppress schismatical conten- 
tions and disputations ; and, in general, to recom- 
mend and attempt reformation of manners and the 
promotion of charity, truth, and holiness through all 
the churches under their care. 

It is often claimed for the Presbyterian Church 
that its form of government is republican. There is, 
however, one important difference. In the Presby- 
terian Church there is no body that corresponds to 
the Senate of the United States. What our national 
government would be with only its House of Repre- 
sentatives, such is the Church in question with only 
its Assembly. It is a manifest and vital defect, a 
defect that sadly interferes with the judicial spirit so 
necessary to the conduct whether of ecclesiastical or 
national affairs. 

So much for the leading features of the Presbyte- 
rian polity. Everything, however, depends upon how 
a Church is worked. A deal of bootless discussion 
has been indulged in as to the New Testament war- 
rant for this or that Church. The claim has prob- 
ably been made for every Christian Church that it 
was the Church of the apostles, the Church described 
and designed bv the New Testament. It is with the 
Church, however, as with the Christian : " By their 
fruits ye shall know them." That is a true Church 
where the truth as it is in Jesus is held, preached, 
taught, and exemplified ; where the outsider is made 
to feel at home ; where a practically beneficent spirit 
obtains ; where the beautifully related lines of edifica- 
tion and evangelization are pursued ; where there is 
vital sympathy with every humane interest ; where 



192 Manual for Church Officers. 

God is honored with the substance of his people and 
with the first fruits of all their increase, to the end 
that the word of God may have free coarse and be 
glorified, that the poor, the sick, the suffering, the 
ignorant, and the sinful may be ministered unto, 
taught of God, and redeemed. The works and 
methods of the true New Testament Church are 
such as were embodied in the first Christian com- 
munity, and which are repeated in the closing verses 
of the second and fourth chapters of the Acts. 

The outcome of every Christian denomination has 
been such as to show that God's blessing has rested 
upon it. The measure of blessing for any Church is 
conditioned upon its fidelity to the necessary means 
and measures to the end in view. The conditions are, 
so to speak, generic ; that is, they are available by 
any Church. Hence, what remains to be said in this 
article as to the active, aggressive work in a Presby- 
terian Church is equally applicable to Churches of 
other names and faiths. 

To begin with the minister. Whatever else he is, 
he must be a pastor. The mere preacher is not the 
man for these times in perennial relation to a church. 
He may have large congregations, but without keep- 
ing in personal touch with his people, without teach- 
ing them from home to home, as well as publicly, 
without confidential and affectionate relations to them, 
he cannot fulfill his vocation. 

The preacher's function is shared by newspaper 
and book. People are not so dependent upon the 
pulpit or upon the hearing of the ear as formerly. 
The pastor's province, however, remains undisturbed, 
undisputed, exclusive. Indeed, the demand has never 



The Laity in the Presbyterian Church. 193 

been so great as now for the pastor. The children of 
Christian parents, the members of our Sunday schools, 
the young men in our cities, homeless, strangers, 
alone ; young women, away from their natural pro- 
tectors and exposed to various temptations, were 
never so dependent as now upon pastoral care and 
oversight. Moreover, the place that ethics is more 
and more acknowledged to hold in religion makes a 
minister's sympathy and counsel more essential. God 
has placed some in the Church to be pastors. Never 
has that office been more sacred or imperative than 
now. We would not derogate from the enjoyment 
and influence of the best preaching ability ; we 
must, however, subordinate it to the pastoral office. 
It is still a problem of how most efficiently to dis- 
charge that office. We would suggest the following 
as among the means that may be employed to advan- 
tage. Let the preaching be largely pastoral. In the 
matter of calling let there be reciprocity; let the 
parishioner call on the pastor, as well as the pastor on 
the parishioner. In this way fully twice the amount 
of pastoral work may be done. The pastor should 
be encouraged to employ correspondence as a means 
of keeping in touch with the individuals of his parish. 
The preacher knows what it is to cultivate and main- 
tain a homiletic mood. So the pastor should culti- 
vate and maintain a pastoral mood. In that way at 
the casual meeting, at the sociable, and at other times 
and places vast influence may be exerted. 

We Presbyterians need to magnify our public wor- 
ship far more than we do. We advertise that there 
will be preaching instead of giving notice of public 
worship. And our services need to be eongregation- 
13 



194 Manual for Church Officers. 

alized. The people, including the children, should 
he encouraged to participate in the different parts of 
the service, especially in turning to the Scripture les- 
sons and to the text. We have found that diversity 
rather than unity in our services contributes to the 
greater edification. For those to whom one hymn is 
not adapted another will be. Many who are not 
helped by the sermon will be touched by the Scrip- 
ture lesson. " There are diversities of operations, but 
the same spirit." No Church need be afraid of or- 
ganization. The more of it the better, provided it 
be vital and provided it be employed so that every 
individual, or as nearly so as possible, be brought into 
requisition. 

A prevalent mistake is that of overlooking existing 
functionaries and of appointing others to do their 
appropriate work. Take, for example, the session of 
the Presbyterian Church. The eldership, rightly 
viewed, is no sinecure. It should be, as often it is 
not, a body thoroughly representative of the different 
tastes, preferences, and grades of the congregation. 
The younger as well as the older members should be 
represented. They should be capable both to rule 
and to teach. They should be sufficient in number 
to do the work expected of them. They should as- 
sist in pastoral work. To that end the parish may be 
divided into as many districts as there are elders, and 
each elder be responsible for a district. 

The pastor's work may be further supplemented 
and facilitated bv the women, of whom in almost 
every congregation there are a sufficient number 
willing and capable. A systematic round of visita- 
tion may be carried on, of immense assistance to the 



The Laity in the Presbyterian Church. 195 

pastor and to the temporal and spiritual advantage of 
all concerned. 

Some sort of a brotherhood of young men is be- 
coming more and more popular, and deservedly so. 
The number need not be large. They should be 
picked men — men who have in them the making of 
elders or other responsible officers, and who, while 
serving as a brotherhood, are under a sort of normal 
training for subsequent official usefulness. Their fleld ? 
in general, may be among young men, and with the out- 
sider, in distinction from the insider, w T ith whom the 
elders more properly have to do. The pastor cannot 
keep in too close touch with such a band of devoted 
young men. They can save him many steps, do much 
clerical work for him, keep him informed of many 
things, and be an all around resource to him. 

There is one position, however, which our young 
men are often asked to fill, and very mistakenly ; it is 
that of usher at the Sunday services. That position 
is a most delicate one, and one which our experience 
has taught us should be filled by the older, most ex- 
perienced, best known, and most tactful men in the 
parish. The young men may assist, but should never 
serve as primaries. 

In this day of grace no church organization is 
complete without a Christian Endeavor Society. Let 
the pastor be as closely as possible identified with it. 
It is a boundless field for his best effort. It is a bed 
of germs wdiose evolution he can direct and make ex- 
ceeding fruitful. 

Of course every church has its Sunday school, and 
thoroughly believes in it. As a department of church 
life, however, we believe it to be in its infancy. It 



196 Manual for Church Officers. 

will suffice, in this connection, to enumerate some of 
the needed modifications, especially in our larger 
schools, to the end of the greatest efficiency : 

1. A paid superintendent, trained for his vocation, 
and who shall give all or a requisite portion of his time 
to his high vocation. 

2. A wide and proportionally large constituency, 
including the young people and the fathers and moth- 
ers in Israel. 

3. A more rigid classification of the members of 
the school. 

4. Class rooms. 

5. A decidedly higher grade of teaching. 

6. Hence larger classes and fewer teachers. 

7. Hence, again, a few paid teachers, analogous to 
the quartet in relation to the church choir. 

8. A normal class for the training of teachers. 

9. A courageous revolution in Sunday school litera- 
ture and libraries. 

No well-equipped church is without a missionary 
society. But in many a church that pretends to be 
w r ell equipped the missionary spirit is at a minimum, 
and the monthly missionary meeting goes by default. 
This is inexcusable. To avoid such reproach there 
should be several missionary organizations, such as 
the Woman's Society, the Young People's, and the 
juvenile societies, and these should be tributary to a 
vigorous and fruitful missionary spirit. 

The Churches are fortunately multiplying where 
societies of King's Daughters and King's Cadets 
abound, and by which the interests of temperance, 
personal purity, missions, and various schemes of be- 
neficence are promoted. 



The Laity in the Presbyterian Church. 197 

Very much lias been said and written about the 
prayer meeting. We favor a published list of topics ; 
the utmost informality ; a general participation of men 
and women, by young and old ; and invariable brevity 
on the part of the leader and of all who speak or 
pray. Never give up the prayer meeting, and never 
give up trying to improve it. 

The social spirit of the church is fortunately in 
this latter day under vigorous culture. Organized 
sociability is designed to be the cement to hold to- 
gether all parts and classes of the Church. It is sim- 
ply indispensable to a well-ordered society. 

The relation of the Church to the Young Men's 
Christian Association has been much discussed. Our 
experience has made us enthusiastic in its support as 
a means of developing the young manhood of the 
Church. The Church is fortunate whose young men 
have such a resource. 

We cannot but commend the annual issue of a 
Church Manual. Let it contain lists of officers, the 
names of the various societies within the Church, 
the facts and figures of beneficence, of income and 
outlay, and especially an alphabetical list of mem- 
bers, a corresponding alphabetical list of streets 
where the members reside, a list of members of 
the congregation, a list of nonresident members, 
and a list of members whose whereabouts are un- 
known. Such a book need not be expensive, while 
at the same time it is invaluable as a means of in- 
formation and as a basis of mutual acquaintance and 
sociability. 

Such is the Presbyterian Church as to its distinctive 
polity, and such the spirit and methods that should 



198 Manual for Church Officers. 

actuate it in common with the Churches of other de- 
nominations. 

As Paul hath it, "Let all things be done decently 
and in order." 

" The body is not one member, but many." 

" And he gave some, [to be] apostles ; and some, 
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors 
and teachers ; for the perfecting of the saints, for 
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body 
of Christ : till we all come in the unity of the faith, 
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a 
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the 
fullness of Christ. . . . From whom the whole body 
fitly joined together and compacted by that which 
every joint supplieth, according to the effectual work* 
ing in the measure of every part, maketh increase of 
the body unto the edifying of itself in love." 

" Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus 
Christ in sincerity." 



CHAPTER IV. 

EFFICIENT BAPTIST CHURCHES. 
BY PROFESSOR BENJAMIN O. TRUE. 

The first Baptist church in the United States was 
organized with twelve members, at Providence, R. I., 
in 1639. Soon after another local church was formed 
at Newport, R. I. A Baptist church was formed at 
Swansea, Mass., in 1663, and the First Baptist Church 
of Boston dates from 1665 ; but for more than a 
century the numerical increase of the Baptists was not 
rapid. Since the Revolutionary War the denomina- 
tion has grown constantly and with unexampled rapid- 
ity. In Texas, forty-five years ago, there were 1,900 
1,900 Baptists ; now there are 233,000. 

Mr. H. C. Vedder, in his Short History of Bap- 
tists, treats of American Baptists in three periods. 
The first period, until the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, corresponding nearly with the colonial period of 
our secular history, w r as a time of foundation, persecu- 
tion, and slow but persistent growth. During this 
period Baptist churches were founded in Rhode 
Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolinas. In 
1776 the entire membership of these Baptist churches 
probably numbered less than 10,000. From 1776 to 
1845 was the period of expansion and missions. The 
increase during and following the Revolutionary War 



200 Manual for Church Officers. 

was very rapid. In 1792 the membership of Baptist 
churches numbered 35,000, and in 1800 it had risen to 
100,000. In 1850 the membership of Baptist churches 
of various names numbered 815,000. The modern 
period, from 1845 to the present time, is termed that 
of " Evangelization and Education." There are now, 
according to the Year Book for 1892, 35,890 regu- 
lar Baptist churches, with 3,269,806 members, nearly 
three fourths of whom are in the Southern States. 
This estimate does not include over 600,000 " Disci- 
ples," nearly 100,000 Free Baptists, and other smaller 
bodies. 

The rapid numerical increase of Baptists in this 
country and their general agreement in respect to im- 
}3ortant doctrinal views have been often remarked by 
thoughtful men in other denominations. How long 
this substantial unity of opinion will continue cannot 
be safely predicted. The facts of past history are 
notable. Thousands of regular Baptist churches, 
with millions of members scattered throughout the 
entire country, have remained in substantial accord 
concerning the essentials of Christian doctrine. These 
churches have been comparatively free from the irri- 
tating doctrinal dissensions which have characterized 
many other bodies. They have not been held together 
by complex organization, by a hierarchy, or by any 
external form of authority save the Scriptures. Bap- 
tists have the most democratic church polity of all the 
large Christian denominations. They fully recognize 
the authority and independence of every local church 
and the private rights and responsibilities of every 
member. The only way their liberty can be kept 
from dissension and license is by their recognition of 



Efficient Baptist Ghukches, 201 

Christ's authority as King and submission to the law 
of Christ. Their substantial agreement in the past 
lias rested on a few accepted principles. They have 
believed that God authoritatively and sufficiently 
revealed himself in Jesus Christ ; that the Holy 
Spirit taught apostolic men and brought to their 
remembrance what Christ said unto them so that they 
were divinely inspired to transmit to future genera- 
tions in the ^Sew Testament Scriptures a record of 
what Jesus Christ did and said. Baptists have also 
believed that the Holy Spirit may be safely trusted 
to enlighten the minds of honest seekers after moral 
and religious truth, and to prepare all such to interpret 
the Holy Scriptures so that sincere inquirers will be 
guided into that truth which, is essential to their sal- 
vation and spiritual welfare. With these presupposi- 
tions — the revelation of God in Jesus and the agency 
of the Holy Spirit both in the production of the 
Scriptures and in the enlightenment of those who 
seek righteousness — Baptists have urged the privilege 
and the duty of soul liberty and the personal inter- 
pretation of the Scriptures. Baptist churches have 
regarded the prime requisite of church membership a 
profession of regeneration, of individual submission 
to Jesus Christ as Lord, and of faith in him as a per- 
sonal Saviour. Local churches have been established 
on the principle of the spiritual fellowship of those 
and only those who profess to sustain this personal 
relation to Christ. All such are supposed to have 
a mutual interest in each other's spiritual welfare, so 
far as practicable to exercise a fraternal watch-care over 
one another, and to let their light shine into the dark- 
ness of the world without. 



202 Manual for Church Officers. 

All modern creeds are subordinate to the authority 
of the New Testament Scriptures. All methods and 
machinery of organization are secondary to the intel- 
ligent conviction, healthful emotion, and Christian 
conduct which spring from vital faith in Jesus 
Christ and constitute spiritual power. 

The early Baptist churches developed in accordance 
with these principles. They were extremely simple 
and democratic in their organization and methods of 
work. Yet this extreme democracy was a sort of 
monarchy, subject to the rightful and supreme author- 
ity of Christ as King. Those who composed a local 
church were members one of another. If one mem- 
ber suffered all suffered. If any member gave just 
cause of offense to the body without repentance and 
reformation he was faithfully admonished, and if he 
persisted in the offense he was excluded. Only those 
were admitted to baptism and church membership 
who made a credible profession of intelligent and 
scriptural faith in Jesus as a personal Saviour. This 
restricted the subjects of baptism and fellowship to 
professed believers. If any ceased to hold fast the pro- 
fession of their faith or contradicted that profession 
by grossly inconsistent conduct they were cut off from 
the body. Questions of the admission and the disci- 
pline of church members were determined by the 
local church. 

The regular officers were elders or ministers and 
deacons. There were such temporary officers, com- 
mittees, representatives, or delegates as churches chose 
to appoint. 

In some of the early Baptist churches there was a 
plurality of elders, and that is now possible (and 



Efficient Baptist Churches. 203 

perhaps more desirable than is customary) where there 
are different local branches of one church with more 
than one place of worship, or where a large body 
needs the services of more than one man for preach- 
ing or pastoral work. 

With the great growth of cities, and the increase of 
the number of large churches in which many busy 
men and women cannot know each other intimately, 
the simple conditions of rural churches and of small 
churches in cities have greatly changed. 

The necessity of a pastor's assistant, or of. work by 
efficient and devoted laymen in evangelization, disci- 
pline, care of the sick and poor, personal visitation, 
and religious conversation has been urgent in many 
churches; but though the varied and unceasing duties 
of many city pastors are well-nigh crushing, compara- 
tively few instances of satisfactory relief by means of 
an assistant pastor have occurred. 

The best of our city churches seek to relieve their 
pastors entirely (except in emergencies which should 
not be unwisely incurred, and may be made extremely 
rare) from all anxiety or responsibility for the finan- 
cial affairs of the church, that is, for the care of the 
property and necessary local expenditures. This 
work is intrusted to a body of trustees in whose 
ability and integrity the church confides, and they act 
under the instruction and with the cooperation of 
the church and congregation. In most of the early 
Baptist churches the trustees w r ere members of the 
church, but in imitation of other denominations and 
in accordance with some civil statutes many churches 
have committed the supervision of their property and 
local expenditures to a society composed, in some 



204 Manual for Church Officers. 

cases, of " male members of full age who have wor- 
shiped with the congregation and have contributed to 
the support of preaching for one year or more." 

To this supervision of local expenditures by trus- 
tees one important exception is usually made. The 
fund for the relief of the poor members of the church 
should always be distributed by the deacons. They 
should be men of good repute, and so judicious that 
the church can confidently intrust to them contribu- 
tions for needy members without any itemized report 
of the names of the recipients or the amounts be- 
stowed. It is proper that all other financial reports 
be itemized and presented for approval and audit to 
a special committee, if not to the entire church or so- 
ciety, at least once a year. 

Every true pastor will always be interested in the 
strictly benevolent contributions of his church, that is, 
in collections for other than home or local purposes. 
But the details of gathering and transmitting such 
collections should never be left to the pastor of any 
large and well-regulated church. A suitable benevo- 
lent committee should be appointed at every annual 
meeting of the church, with such instructions as cir- 
cumstances and a spirit of Christian generosity may 
dictate. 

For the further relief of the pastor it is desirable 
that there should be a distinct understanding con- 
cerning the relation of the church to the Sunday 
school. In this respect there has been great and un- 
justifiable contusion. The Sunday school should 
be the church teaching, with its officers, methods, 
and objects of benevolence at least approved, if not 
selected, by the church. If generous provision can be 



Efficient Baptist Churches. 205 

made for the necessary expenses of the school, so that 
the collections may be devoted to real benevolence, 
children will be taught from early youth to give for 
others than themselves. The united and harmonious 
action of the church and Sunday school, together 
with the selection of proper officers, will permit of 
the helpful and effective cooperation of many men 
and women with the pastor in the best kind of Chris- 
tian work and influence. 

Where there are branch churches, Sunday schools, 
or missions a clear and proper definition of their 
relation to the central church, both in the way of 
support and allegiance, will relieve both pastor and 
people from numberless occasions of friction and 
anxiety. 

A more fruitful source of possible disturbance is 
the " service of song." In many churches this has 
become so delicate and complex a question that in 
spite of the best endeavors of the pastor, trustees, and 
music committee, individuals (sometimes a part or the 
whole of the choir) seem to become " a law unto them- 
selves." Every Christian Church should demand that 
its service of song be devout — the expression of wor- 
ship, not of worldly pride. Elaborate and artistic 
music will be a source of weakness to any church, 
unless the service be the expression of genuine Chris- 
tian praise. This impression cannot be permanently 
produced if the leaders are not spiritually minded 
Christians. 

Deacons should be chosen for service, not chiefly 
to occupy a place of honor in the church. No man 
should be made a deacon who is not honorable and 
" of good repute" in the community. But what he 



206 Manual for Church Officers. 

does in public and at the administration of the ordi- 
nances is but a small part of his work. Deacons 
should visit and relieve the worthy, needy poor. 
While they must be merciful and sympathetic they 
should be judicious, and not easily subject to imposi- 
tion. By suitable division of work the deacons should 
have particular personal knowledge of all the humble 
and unfortunate members of the church. They 
should report all cases of distress to the pastor and some 
such cases to the church. There should be enough 
deacons to do this work wisely and well, and when- 
ever a church is without a pastor deacons should be 
able and willing to minister to the spiritual, no less 
than to the material, necessities of the sick, the poor, 
and the afflicted. In some churches devout women, 
either voluntarily or employed by the church, share 
this work and also act as evangelists and visitors from 
house to house. Some have favored the formal 
appointment of deaconesses for these purposes, and 
much work which in this country properly devolves 
upon deacons can be done in the missionary churches 
of Asia only by women. It is essential that this 
work be properly done both at home and abroad. 
The official designation of the workers is less impor- 
tant. Deacons are sometimes elected for an indefinite 
period, but more frequently for a limited time. In 
many churches one or two deacons are elected (or 
often reelected) every year. 

In watch-care and pastoral supervision the clerk 
can often render great service to the pastor and dea- 
cons. The clerk should keep in permanent form the 
minutes of all business meetings of the church and 
of all changes in membership, and be able to furnish 



Efficient Baptist Churches. 207 

a complete list of the members and their residences. 
If needful he should have an assistant. 

In a large church there should be a prudential or 
advisor} 7 committee, of which the deacons and clerk 
may properly be members. This committee should 
secure and consider preliminary information on the 
basis of which they can make recommendation to the 
church concerning the admission or discipline of 
members; but final action always rests with the 
church. Every member of the church, his place of 
residence, and something of his spiritual history and 
condition should be known to some member of this 
committee ; and, either by local division of the com- 
munity or on some other basis, the advisory committee 
should keep in acquaintance and touch with every 
resident member of the church. The clerk should 
correspond annually with all nonresident members. 
This advisory or prudential committee should have 
frequent meetings, and at any one of these meetings 
the pastor or any member of the church should be 
able to receive answer to any proper inquiries con- 
cerning other members of the church. 

In serious cases of discipline the details of investi- 
gation should be carefully considered by this or some 
special committee, and recommendations presented to 
the church for decisive action. This committee may 
be appointed annually. In a word, the prudential or 
advisory committee in a large Baptist church may do 
much that is intrusted to the session or elders of a 
Presbyterian church, with the important difference 
that all power of final action in every case of the ad- 
mission or discipline of members rests in Baptist 
churches with the entire membership. Much useful 



i'' 1 ^ Manual for Chcech OfficePwS. 

work can be done anil carefully considered recom- 
mcndations can be made by a wise advisory commit- 
tee when the desirable preliminary inquiries would 
be impracticable for the whole church. Such a stand- 
ing committee exists in most large churches, and can 
render invaluable service e church and aid to the 

pastor. 

A standing committee should never arrogate to 
itself the exclusive right to do any specific work which 

church for any reason may see fit to assign t - - 
cial committees. Special committees are important, 
notably in the case of a vacant pastorate. Tne re- 
sponsibility of taking preliminary steps tow; i ] —cur- 
ing a pastor usually . e s upon a pulpit commit- 
tee, and the temporary sii] plv of the pulpit should in 
such cases always be intrusted to the = 3 committee 
which is to make recommendations to the church in 
reference to a regular pastor. Th : s committee should 
comprise the wisest and most judicious, the best 

st trustworthy members of the church. The c 
mittee should not be too large. ts members should 

remember that they are authorized only to make rec- 
ommendations to the chnre bss they are specially 
intrusted with larger power. 

The ideal Baptist church is a body of men and 

ten, youna:, in middle and advanced life, all ready 
for some good word and work. Their chosen reli- 

- teacher will naturally be an important center of 
influence and "an ensample to the flock." Hi 
time and thought should be reserved for the spiritual 
work of the church. He should be able to i% meditate 

n these things' 1 an give himself wholly to 

them. There should be manv evangelists in the 



Efficient Baptist Churches. 209 

clmrch who follow the injunction, " As ye go, preach." 
There should be as many centers of spiritual activity 
and power as there are members of the church. 

A Christian Church cannot be unorganized, but be- 
yond a few particulars the details of organization may 
be very simple or at least very flexible. The most com- 
plete and elaborate organization without spirituality 
will be only mechanical, perhaps admirably adapted to 
a social club, but not fitted to impart moral and reli- 
gious power to an assembly of those who profess to 
be the loyal and obedient disciples of Jesus Christ. 
Such mechanism, called Christian churches of various 
denominations, may have names to live while in real- 
ity dead. 

The effort to increase the number of nominal Chris- 
tian churches, or to swell the membership of existing 
churches upon such worldly lines of success, is con- 
trary to the fundamental principles and practices of 
the early Baptist churches as shown in their history. 

Activity may follow organization, but all desirable 

Christian organization and all healthful Christian 

activity are the products of spiritual life. 
14 



210 



Manual for Church Officers. 



CHAPTER V. 

DENOMINATIONAL STATISTICS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Through the courtesy of H. K. Carroll, LL.D., 
special agent of the eleventh census, we are permitted 
to publish the statistics, but just completely tabulated, 
of the more important religious denominations of the 
United States, as shown by the census of 1890. 



Baptists : 

Regular— North 

Regular— South 

Regular— Colored 

Six Principles 

Seventh-Day 

Free- Will 

Original Free-Will 

General , 

United 

Separate 

Primitive 

Old Two Seed in the Spirit Predesti 
narian 

Total 

Congregationalists 

Disciples of Christ 

f Orthodox 

Friends • i Hicksite 

jmenas*. « Wilburite 

[Primitive 

Total 

Lutherans : 

General Synod 

United Synod in the South 

General Council 

Synodical Conference 

Joint Synod of Ohio 



Organiza- 
tions or 

congrega- 
tions. 



16,448 

12,410 

18 

106 

1,536 

167 

400 

18 

24 

2,550 

215 

41,629 



4,868 
7,246 


794 

201 

52 

9 



1,056 



1,424 

414 

1,995 

1,934 

421' 



Value 
of church 
edifices. 



$49,162,639 

20,760,779 

8,938,125 

19,500 

264,010 

3,115,642 

56,705 

200,580 

3.000 

9,200 

1,232,342 

71,750 



883,834,277 

$43,335,437 

$12,208,038 



$2,795,784 

1,661,850 

67,000 

16,700 



$1,541,334 

$3,919,170 
1,114,065 

10,996,786 
7,804,313 
1,639,087 



Members 
or commu- 
nicants. 



782.954 

1,271,002 

1,314,425 

937 

9,123 

87,898 

11,864 

21,253 

1,000 

1,599 

87,571 

4,467 



3,594,093 

512,771 
641,051 



80,655 

21,992 

4,329 

232 

107,208 



164,620 

37,457 

517,145 

357,153 

69,505 



Denominational Statistics. 



211 



Organiza- 

| tioris or \ 

'congrega^ 

tions. 



Lutherans— {Continued) : 

Buffalo Synod 

Hauge's Synod 

Norwegian Church in America 

Michigan Synod 

Danish Lutheran Church in America. 

German Augsburg Synod 

Danish Lutheran Church Association. 

Icelandic Synod 

Immanuel Synod 

Suomai Synod 

United Norwegian 

Independent Congregations 

J German Evangelical Protestant Ch. . 
j German Evangelical Synod 



175 

489 
65 

131 
23 
50 
13 
21 
11 
1,122 

231 
52 

870 



Total, 



Methodists : 

Methodist Episcopal 

Union American Methodist Episcopal.. 

African Methodist Episcopal 

African Union Methodist Protestant. . . 

African Methodist Episcopal Zion 

Zion Union Apostolic 

Methodist Protestant 

"Wesleyan Methodist 

Methodist Episcopal, South 

Colored Methodist Episcopal 

Primitive Methodist 

Congregational Methodist 

Congregational Methodist (Colored) . . . 

New Congregation Methodist 

Free Methodist 

Independent Methodist 

Eva ngelical Missionary 

Evangelical Association 

I United Brethren in Christ 

■s United Brethren in Christ (Old Con- 

( stitution) 



Total. 



Moravians. 



25,861 

42 

2,481 

40 

1,704 

32 

2,529 

565 

15,017 

1,773 

84 

214 

9 

24 

1,102 

15 

11 

2,310 

3,731 

705 




Presbyterians : 

Presbyterian inUnitedStatesof America 6,71' 

Cumberland Presbyterian 2,791 

Cumberland Presbvterian (Colored) ... 224 

Welsh Calvinistic Methodist ; 187 

United Presbyterian 866 

Presbyterian Church in the United! 

States (Southern) | 2,391 

Associate Church of North America 31 

Associate Reformed Synod of the South! 116 
Re#d|med Presbyterian in the United! 

States (Synod) 115 

Reformed Presbyterian in North Amer- 
ica (General Synod) 33 



Value 

of church 
editlces. 



$84,410 

214,395 

806,825 

164,770 

129,700 

111,060 

94,200 

7,200 

44,775 

12,898 

1,544,455 

1,249,745 

1,187,450 

4,614,490 



9,468 J $40,739,994 



$96,723,408 

187,600 

6,468,280 

54,440 

2,714,128 

15,000 

3,683,337 

393,250 

18,775,362 

1,705,491 

291,993 

41,680 

525 

3,750 

805,085 

266,975 

2,000 

4,785,680 

4,292,643 

645.340 



$141,855,967 
$681,250 



Members 
or commu- 
nicants. 



4,242 
14,730 

55,452 

11,482 

10,111 

7,010 

3,493 

1,991 

5,580 

1,385 

119,972 

41.955 

36,156 

187,432 



$74,455,200 

3,515,510 

195,826 

625.875 

5,408,084 

8,812,152 

29,200 

211,850 

1,071,400 

469,000 



1,646,871 



2,240,354 

2,279 

452,7 5 

3,415 

349,788 

2,346 

141,989 

16,492 

1,209,976 

128,758 

4,764 

8,765 

319 

1,059 

22,113 

2,569 

951 

133,313 

202,474 

22,684 



4,947,133 
11.781 



788.224 

164.940 

12.P56 

12,72-2 

94,402 

179,721 
1.053 
8,501 

10,574 

4,602 



212 



Manual foe Chuech Officers. 





Organiza- 
tions or 
congrega- 
tions. 


Value 

of church 

edifices. 


Members 
or commu- 
nicants. 


Presbyterians— (Co ntinued) : 
Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanted) . . 


4 

1 

572 
1,510 




37 


Reformed Presbyterian in United 
States and Canada 


$75,000 

10,340,159 

7,975,583 


600 


Reformed Church in America 


92,970 
204,018 


Reformed Church in the United States. 


Total 


15,558 

5,019 
83 

5 102 

421 
956 
10,215 
316 
217 
425 

431 


$113,184,839 

$81,155,317 
1,615,101 


1,575,320 
532 054 


Episcopalians : 
Protestant Episcopal 


Reformed Episcopal 


. 8,455 




Total 


$82,770,418 

$10,335,100 
8,060,333 

118,040,746 

2,802,050 

6,952,225 

825,506 

226,285 


540,509 
67,749 


Unitarians 


Universalists 


49,224 


Catholic (Roman) 


6,228,579 


Jewish Congregations (Orthodox) 

Jewish Congregations (Reformed) 

i Latter- Day Saints (Mormons) 

•< Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ— 

( Latter Day Saints 


57,597 

72,899 

144,352 

21,773 


Grand total 


156,251 


$670,371,799 ' 20,218,910 



THE END. 



INDEX 



Allen, Professor, 45. 

Annual Conference, admission to, 141. 

Anstice, Rev. Henry, 177. 

*'* Apostleship of Prayer," 176. 

Arnold of Brescia, 163. 

Assembly, General, 171, 190, 191. 

Atchinson, Austin, 35. 

Auditing committees, 115. 

Baptisms, record of, 77, 82. 

Baptist churches, efficient, 199-209; 
historical summary, 199; unity in, 
200, 201 ; democracy of, 202 ; early 
Baptist churches, 202; pastor's as- 
sistant, 203; trustees, 203; deacons, 
204-206 ; benevolent committee, 204 ; 
Sunday school, 204, 205 ; clerk, 206 ; 
prudential committee, 207 ; cases of 
discipline, 207, 208 ; choosing pastor, 
208; the ideal Baptist church, 208, 209. 

Bible study, 70, 71. 

Bishops (Methodist Episcopal), 64, 92, 
144. 

(Protestant Episcopal), House of, 

179. 

Booth, William, 31, 32. 

Brotherhoods, 195. 

Browne, Robert, 167, 168. 

Brownists, 167. 

Buildings, 120, 121, 126. 

Bunyan, John, 168. 

Business, church, 2G, 27, 51, 52 [see 
also Trustees]. 

Calvin, 166. 

Carroll, Rev. H. K., 210. 

Cartwrigbt, Thomas, 167. 

Cathari, 164. 

Change of pastor, 55. 

Character of official members, 21. 

Charges, where tried, 192. 

Charities and reforms, 50. 

Choir, 130. 

Christian Endeavor Societies, 195. 

Church papers, 28. 

Churches [see also Buildings and Prop- 
erty]. 

Classes and class leaders, 97-105 ; dis- 
ciplinary provisions, 97, 98 ; in early 
Methodism, 99; present needs, 99, 
100 ; work the pastor cannot perform, 
101 ; kind of leaders wanted, 101, 
102 ; meetings, 102-104 ; the leader's 
response, 104 ; dangers, 105 ; hints 
for, 153. 



Clerical members of Quarterly Con- 
ference, 77-79 ; supernumerary min- 
isters, 77, 78 ; superannuated minis- 
ters, 77-79. 

Clerk in Baptist churches, 206. 

Commissioners to General Assembly, 
190. 

Committees, on Sunday schools, 86 ; of 
Quarterly Conference, 133; of Dis- 
trict Conference, 145. 

Complaints, 132. 

Congregationalists in New England, 
171. 

Connectional interests, 27, 28. 

Continuity of Christian 1 "nought , 
quoted, 45. 

Conveyance of church property, 118- 
120. 

Cooperation of officiary with pastor, 
47-53 ; in spiritual work, 47-50 ; in 
temporal economy, 50. 

Day, a church, 113. 

Deaconesses, 175, 204. 

Deacons, Baptist, 204; Presbyterian, 
185, 186. 

Debts on church property, 117-127. 

Deed, Poll, 169. 

Deeds of church property, 119-121. 

Delegates to General Conference, 151, 
152. 

Democracy, its bearing on the 
churches, 170. 

Deputies, House of, 179. 

Diocesan Council, 177. 

Discipline, on supernumerary minis- 
ters, 77 ; on superannuated minis- 
ters, 77 ; on local preachers, 80, 81 ; 
on exhorters, 82 ; on Sunday schools, 
85 ; on the Ep worth League, 91-93 ; 
on classes and class meetings, 97, 98 ; 
on stewards, 106-108 ; on support of 
ministers, 107; on support of pre- 
siding elders, 108 ; on trustees, 117- 
122 ; on conveyance of church prop- 
erty, 118-120 ; on building churches, 
120, 121; on building and renting 
parsonages, 121 , 122 ; on leaders and 
stewards' meeting, 128; on official 
board, 129; on Quarterly Confer- 
ence, 132-136; on District Confer- 
ence, 144-147; on the Lay Electoral 
Conference, 151. 
I District Conference, 80 ; disciplinary 



214 



Index. 



provisions, 144-147 ; its purpose and 
functions, 147 ; necessity of lay at- 
tendance, 148 ; business, 149 ; reli- 
gious and literary, 150. 
District stewards, 106, 107, 108, 141, 

m 

Elders, lay, 166 ; in Baptist churches, 
202; in Presbyterian churches, 187, 
194 [see also Presiding Elders]. 

Elections: of Sunday school officers, 85 ; 
of stewards, 106-132 ; of trustees, 117, 
122-124, 132; of Quarterly Confer- 
ence committees, 133; of lay dele- 
gates, 151, 152. 

Electoral Conference, 151. 

Envelope plan, 113-116. 

Episcopalians, American, 172 [see 
also Protestant Episcopal Church]. 

Ep worth League, disciplinary provi- 
sions. 91-93 ; importance of the work, 
93, 94; suggestions for presidents, 
94-96 ; its spiritual mission, 94 ; the 
pledge, 95; intellectual work, 95; 
mercy and help, 95; social life, 96; 
the class meeting revived, 103 ; re- 
port to Quarterly Conference, 133- 
139 ; report to District Conference, 
146. 

Equality of official members, 41. 

Exhorters, 82, 84. 

Faultfinders, 44. 

Finances of church, 39 ; the pledge sys- 
tem, 111-116 [see also Trustees]. 

Fourth Quarterly Conference, super- 
numerary ministers report to, 77; 
superannuated ministers report to, 
77; election of stewards, 106 ; election j 
of trustees, 117; trustees report to, | 
118 ; official board reports to, 129 ; 
committees of, 133. 

Fox, George, 168. 

General Conference, lay delegates, 151. 
General Convention, 172, 177. 
Guilds, 173. 

Hints for official members, 153. 

Incorporation, 118. 

Incumbrances on church property, 125. 

Independents, 168. 

Insurance, 125. 

Knights Templar, 163. 
Knox, John, 167. 

Laity in Baptist churches, 199-209. 

in Christian Church, 161-176. 

in Presbyterian Church, 184-198. 

■ in Protestant Episcopal Church, 

177-183. 
Lay delegation, 174. 
• Electoral Conference, 151, 152. 



Lay members of official board, 80-127; 
local preachers, 80-84 ; exhorters, 81- 
84 ; Sunday school superintendents, 
85-90 ; presidents of Epworth League 
chapters, 91-96; class leaders, 97- 
105; stewards, 106-116 ; tru:-tees, 117- 
127. 

Laymen in Primitive Church, 161 : un- 
der the empire, 161, 102 ; excluded 
from participation, 162 ; in Middle 
Ages, 163; since the Reformation, 
164; in Prussia, 165; in Calvin's 
sect, 166 ; among Separatists, 107 ; 
Wesley's use of laymen, 1C8-170; in 
nineteenth century, 170; among 
Congregationalists, 171; among Pres- 
byterians, 171, 172 ; among Protest- 
ant Episcopalians, 172, 173; in Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, 173, 174 ; 
women, 174-176 ; in modern Catholic 
Church, 175, 176 [see also Laity]. 

Leaders and stewards' meeting, 128, 
129. 

Leadership in Christian work, oppor- 
tunity, 30, 31 ; conditions of, 31, 32 : 
and future needs, 32, 33 ; prosaic side 
of, 33 ; effect of, 34 ; rewards of, 34, 
35. 

Licensing preachers, 80, 81, 137, 140. 

Little, Rev. C. J., 161. 

Local preachers, disciplinary provi- 
sions, 80-82 ; classes of, 83 ; work for, 
83,84. 

Lord's Supper, 107. 

Luther, 165. 

Manual, Church, 197. 

Marriages, 77, 82. 

Meetings, of district stewards, 108 ; of 
leaders and stewards, 128; of official 
board, 129, 130 ; of Quarterly Confer- 
ence, 137, 138 ; of Lay Electoral Con- 
ference, 151. 

Mendicant orders, 164. 

Methodism, its debt to official mem- 
bers, 10; insistence upon training, 
15; supervision of morals of min- 
istry, 57 ; its debt to the class meet- 
ing, 98, 99 ; its origin, 169. 

Methodist Episcopal Church, growth 
(1872-1892), 12; governed by Disci- 
pline, 27 ; episcopal in its supervi- 
sion, 56 ; organized, 173 ; lay delega- 
tion, 174, 175. 

Midweek services, 48. 

Moody, D. L., 32. 

Moral influence, 23. 

Moravians, 108. 

Mortgages, 119. 

Music. 205. 

New England, Church-State in, 171. 

Official board (Methodist Episcopal), 
129-131 ; disciplinary provisions, 129 ; 



Index. 



215 



its functions, 120, 131 [see also Offi- 
cial Members]. 
Official members, number of, 10 ; in- 
fluence of, 12 ; present work of, 13 ; 
demands of future, 13 ; training nec- 
essary, 14, 15 ; 

and the community, 17-25; rep- 
resentative character of, 18-20 ; 
their duties as citizens, 22 ; relation 
to moral reforms, 22, 23; relation 
to other churches, 23, 24; relation 
to the poor, 24, 25 ; 

their relation to the church, 29-35 ; 
representatives and leaders of the 
local church, 27-35; representatives 
of connectional interests, 27, 28 ; re- 
lation to church members, 29-35 ; 

their relation to each other, 36-45 ; 
nature of the work, 36; difficulties 
to be overcome, 37 ; party and per- 
sonal strife, 38; sharing the pas- 
toral care, 38 ; financial responsibili- 
ties, 39; individual characteristics, 
40; equality, 41; freedom of ex- 
pression, 41"; avoidance of personal- 
ities, 42; conscientious dissent, 42; 
united support of official action, 43 ; 
trustworthiness, 43; chronic fault- 
finding, 44 ; parliamentary law, 44 ; 
rewards of service, 44 ; 

relation to the pastor, 46-55 ; three 
essentials, 46 ; respect, 46; sympathy, 
46 ; cooperation in spiritual work, 
47-50 ; in temporal economy, 50-53 ; 
in personal intercourse, 53 ; as chair- 
man, 54 ; the good of the church the 
paramount consideration, 55 ; 

relation to presiding elder, 56-65 ; 
the functions of the presiding elder 
summarized, 56, 57; supervision of 
morals, 57 ; of religious life, 58 ; of 
regularity, 58 ; of teaching, 59 ; of 
finances and property, 59, 60; rela- 
tion to young ministers, 60; over- 
sight of connectional interests, 61 ; 
expense and value of this supervi- 
sion, 61 ; relation to work in city and 
country, 62; duty of official mem- 
bers to the elder, 62-65 ; in the ap- 
pointment of a pastor, 64, 65 ; neces- 
sity of mutual confidence, 65; 

personal religious life, 66-74 ; ne- 
cessity of growth, 66 ; church work 
does not sanctify, 66 ; need of spirit- 
ual-mindedness, 67, 68 ; how to grow 
in grace, 69-72 ; prayer, 69 ; study of 
Bible, 70, 71; personal work for 
men, 71, 72 ; rewards of service, 72- 
74; 

specific duties of, 77-157 ; clerical 
members, 77-79 ; local preachers, 80- 
84 ; exhorters, 81, 84; Sunday school 
superintendents, 85-90 ; presidents of 
Epworth League chapters, 91-96; 



class leaders, 97-105 ; stewards, 100- 
116; trustees, 117-127. 



Parish, meaning of term, 172, 173 ; 180. 

Parliamentary law, 44; code of, 154- 
157. 

Parsonages, 121, 122. 

Pastor, his relations to the officiary, 
46-55 ; respect, 46 ; sympathy, i6 ; 
cooperation, 47-53 ; in pergonal in- 
tercourse, 53 ; as chairman of official 
board, 54; change of, 55, 142, 143; 
appointment of, 64, 65 ; in relation 
to Sunday school, 86, 87, 89 ; relation 
to Epworth League, 93 ; salary, 110- 
116 ; his report, 138, 139. 

Payments, promptness in, 51, 52. 

Personal work, 71, 72. 

Personalities, to be avoided, 42. 

Pledge system, 111-116. 

Prayer, necessity of, 69, 70. 

Presbyterian Church, Laity in, 177, 
184-198; historical summary, 184, 
185; statistics of, 185; functions of 
trustees, 185 ; functions of deacons, 
185, 186; functions of elders, 187; 
the Session, 187; the Presbytery, 183 ; 
the Synod, 183, 189 ; the General As- 
sembly, 190, 191 ; aggressive work, 
192-198. 

Presbytery, 188. 

Presiding elder, his ten functions, 56, 
57 ; moral discipline, 57, 58 ; reli- 
gious supervision, 58 ; may enforce 
conformity to Discipline, 08 ; over- 
sight of teaching and training, 59; 
oversight of finances, 59 ; over- 
sight of church property, 60; rela- 
tion to young ministers, 60; over- 
sight of connectional interests, 61 ; 
expense of supervision, 61; his value 
to the appointing bishop, 61 ; his re- 
lation to the work in city and coun- 
try, 62 ; duty of officiary to him, 62 ; 
should touch the entire life of the 
church, 63 ; in appointment of pas- 
tor, 64; possibilities of harm, 63; 
necessity of mutual confidence, 65 ; 
relation to Epworth League, 93; 
support of, 108. 

Property of Church, relation of State 
to, 122 ; in custody of trustees, 124- 
127; incumbrances on, 125; insur- 
ance on, 125; conveyance of, 118- 
120 ; in Protestant Episcopal Church, 
180, 181. 

Protestant Episcopal Church, Laity in, 
177-183; as legislators, 177-179; as 
members of vestries, 179-182; as 
parish workers, 182, 183. 

Prussian Church, 165. 

Public spirit, a requisite for official 
membership, 22. 



216 



Index. 



Quarterly Conference, an opportunity, 
63 ; its licensing power, 80; its rela- 
tion to local preachers, 80-82, 132, 
140 ; relation to exhorters, 82 ; in re- 
lation to Sunday schools, 85-87, 132 ; 
relation to classes, 97; appoint- 
ment of district and recording 
stewards, 106, 132; in relation to 
stewards, 106-108 ; in relation to 
trustees, 117-122, 132 ; in relation to 
church property, 118-122; relation 
to official board, 129 ; its composi- 

. tion, 132 ; its organization, 132 ; its 
functions, 132-143 ; order of business, 
133-136 ; importance of, 138 ; attend- 
ance upon, 138; reports, 138, 139; 
examination of "character," 140; 
pastor's return or successor, 142, ]43. 

Recording steward, 106-108, 141, 142. 

Records, supervision of, 124, 136 ; of 
official board, 129 ; of Quarterly Con- 
ference, 142 ; of District Conference, 
144. 

Rector (Protestant Episcopal), 173. 

Removal of church property, 120. 

Reports, to congregation advisable, 52 ; 
of supernumerary and superannu- 
ated ministers, 77, 139; of local 
preachers, 81, 139 ; of pastor on Sun- 
day schools, 87, 139; of Ep worth 
League presidents, 93, 139 ; of class 
leaders, 97, 139; of stewards, 108, 
140; of trustees, 132,140; to Quar- 
terly Conference, 133-136; pastor's 
report, 138, 139 ; committee reports, 
139, 140 ; to District Conference, 146, 
149. 

Representative character of official 
members, 17-25. 

Revival, the official members in, 49. 

Robinson, John, 168. 

Rules of order, 40, 44, 154-157. 

Ruling elders (Presbyterian), 187. 

41 Sacred Discipline, 1, 167. 

Sacred Heart, League of the, 175, 176. 

Salary, pastor's, 110-11G. 

Sale of (Methodist Episcopal) church 

property, 119-120. 
Secrecy in official meetings, 30, 43. 
Separatists, 167. 

Services, attendance upon, 48, 49. 
Session, 187. 
Sisterhoods, 175. 
Societies, Young People's, 91-96. 
Spiritual sense, needed, 67, 68. 
Statistics, Religious, 210-212. 
Stebbins, Rev. H. H., 184. 
Stewards, disciplinary provisions ; 

106-108 ; mode of election, 109 ; va- 



rious duties ; 109-110 ; financial 
charge, 110; raising salary, 110-116; 
financial secretary, 114; in leaders 
and stewards' meeting, 128, 129; 
report to Quarterly Conierence, 140 ; 
hints for, 153. 

Sunday school, characteristics of, 87 ; 
opportunity and resources, 88; de- 
fects, 88: the superintendent, 89; 
atmosphere of the school, 89, 90; 
how to improve, 195, 196. 

superintendents, 85-90 ; discipli- 
nary provisions, 85-87 ; the work and 
the man, 87-90 ; hints for, 153. 

Union (Methodist Episcopal), 86. 

Superannuated ministers, 77-79. 

Supernumerary ministers, 77, 78. 

Synod, of Symmachus, 162; in Presby- 
terian Church, 188, 189. 

Teachers, in Sunday school, 85. 

Teaching elders (Presbyterian), 187. 

Temperance reform, 22, 23 ; in Sunday 
school, 86. 

Training for official members, 14-16. 

Treasurer of the church, 113-115. 

True, Professor Benjamin O., 199. 

Trustees, in Baptist churches, 203. 

in Methodist Episcopal Criurch, 

disciplinary provisions, 117-122 ; how 
elected, 117 ; debts to, 117 ; report to 
fourth Quarterly Conference, 118; 
conveyance of church propertv, 
118-120; building churches, 120; 
State laws, 122; call and mode of 
election, 123; organization, 124; 
duties, 124-127; titles to property, 
124 ; care of buildings, 124 ; custody 
of property, 125; current expenses, 
126; perversion of functions, 127; 
report to Quarterly Conference, 139. 

in Presbyterian Church, 185. 

in Protestant Episcopal Church, 

180. 

Unity of action, 43. 
Universities, laymen in, 163. 
Ushers, 195. 

Vestry, significance of term, 180;- 

members of, 179-182. 
Vestrymen, 172, 173, 180. 

Waldo, Peter, 164. 

Wardens, Church, 172, 173. 

Wesley, John, 25, 31 ; his use of lay- 
men, 168. 

Wiclif, 164. 

Women, increasing activity of, 174, 
175 ; in Catholic Church, 175, 176. 

Zwingli, 165. 



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